POV: Kael Lanpar
(Present day)
Kessie's head rested on my shoulder. We were both leaning against the trunk of an old tree, boredom slowly lulling us toward sleep.
Despite the sunny day and the fresh air carrying the scent of wildflowers, we couldn't help but yawn at Dirion's monotonous voice.
I let my head fall back against the rough bark, letting my gaze drift into the sky. A flock of white birds glided overhead, their wings slicing through the air with a grace that seemed almost choreographed.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I enjoyed the cool breeze brushing against my face.
"Kids, are you even listening to me?" Dirion's voice snapped me out of my drowsiness.
I opened my eyes just in time to see him frowning.
"Don't tell me… I've been talking to myself this whole time?" he muttered, rubbing his temple.
Stretching lazily, I carefully moved Kessie's head—she was still peacefully asleep. Her breathing was so calm that for a second I wondered if she was even breathing at all.
"We'd better get up," I murmured. "The old man looks annoyed."
She groaned softly and sat up, rubbing her eyes with slow, sleepy movements.
"Is he done talking yet?" she mumbled.
I was about to answer when a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
Instinct kicked in—I threw myself to the side just before a compressed water bullet slammed into the tree trunk where we'd been sitting.
The impact was so strong that the wood cracked, leaving a hole the size of a fist.
"Are you insane, old man?!" I shouted, fury rising in my chest. "You could've killed me!"
Dirion still had his hand outstretched, face expressionless, though a hint of annoyance crossed his features.
"Almost got you," he said dryly. "Seems my aim's gotten rusty."
I bit back another yell, inhaled deeply, and let out a long sigh before walking closer.
With a small gesture, I made a nearby rock levitate, drew in mana, and shaped it until it became a crude chair.
The solid thud echoed through the clearing as it hit the ground. I sat without a word, arms crossed, glaring at him in clear irritation.
"So," I said, "what was so important that you had to nearly murder us to prove your point?"
Dirion sighed in resignation.
"I know you're not interested in this, Kael," he began, pausing to glance at Kessie and motion for her to come closer.
She obeyed immediately, sitting cross-legged on the ground, idly fixing a loose strand of hair.
"Now that I have your attention," Dirion continued, picking up a fallen branch, "I want you both to watch closely."
I steadied my breathing, letting the mana flow through me.
Elemental particles began to shimmer in the air like tiny multicolored fireflies, each one vibrating with its own hue.
My eyes shifted to the branch in Dirion's hand. I could feel the elements intertwined within it, as though the dry wood still pulsed with the world's energy.
"What you see here," he explained, channeling his mana, "comes from the Sacred Tree of the kingdom. This small branch still carries its essence—its link to the elements."
As his energy flowed into the wood, the particles flared brightly.
A pale blue glow—air—appeared first, followed by the earthy brown of soil and the calm blue of water.
"I wield three elements," he said, his tone steady. "And my control over them is considerable."
Silence fell between us. Dirion's eyes stayed fixed on me with that heavy seriousness I'd never grown comfortable with.
Kessie cleared her throat, trying to ease the tension.
"So, what exactly are you showing us, Grandpa?" she asked, turning to look at me. "And what do the elements have to do with Kael?"
Dirion scratched his head, searching for a simple way to explain something that was clearly not simple.
From the look on his face, I knew whatever he was about to say wouldn't be good news.
"You probably know the story of the Guardian Protector of the kingdom," he said at last, his gaze drifting toward the tall trees swaying in the wind.
I nodded silently. Curiosity began to burn inside me.
"The roots of the Sacred Trees spend their entire lives absorbing ambient mana," he continued in a calm voice. "Every fiber of their wood, every leaf that opens at dawn, is infused with the elemental energy that flows around them."
He raised his hand, showing five fingers with almost solemn composure.
"A tree can endure all five primary elements because of its roots—strong and pure," he added, closing his fist. "Wind, fire, earth, water, and lightning… all coexist in harmony through their bearer."
He stepped closer, moving slowly. Then he placed his palm on my head and released a sigh so heavy it made me hold my breath.
"Kael, you possess all five elements," he said, his voice grave enough to freeze the air. "But more than a blessing… it's a curse."
His words cut through me like a blade.
A hollow emptiness opened in my chest; the world spun, and Kessie's and Dirion's voices distorted as if echoing from a distant tunnel. The ground seemed to fade beneath my feet.
If it hadn't been for Kessie, I might have collapsed entirely.
Her warm hand pressed gently against my cheek, stroking it softly. Her face was so close I could see fear reflected in her blue eyes.
"Kael… are you okay?" she asked, biting her lower lip.
"I… I think so," I managed to whisper.
I lightly gripped her wrist and moved her hand away, rubbing my eyes as a cold sweat ran down my skin. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
"It's normal to feel disappointed," Dirion said in a calmer tone. "You've come a long way… and your corrupted awakening left deep scars. But this," he added, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "is just another obstacle. One you'll overcome, as always."
I wanted to believe him. But deep down, I knew he was right for reasons he couldn't even imagine. What gnawed at me wasn't fear—it was silent frustration, a burning helplessness beneath my skin.
"I have everything," I whispered to myself. "But I am nothing."
I lowered my head, avoiding his eyes. I knew Dirion only wanted to help me, to make me stronger… but even his power wouldn't be enough to stop Matías from returning.
"Go get some rest, Kael," he finally said. "Your mind needs clarity."
I didn't answer. I turned away and walked toward the castle's interior, ignoring everyone in my path.
"Watch where you're going, boy!" an elven servant snapped after bumping into me.
I shot him a glare filled with anger. That was enough to make him step back, swallowing hard before hurrying away.
I kept walking until the weight in my chest forced me to stop. Leaning against a wall of white marble, I let myself slide down, sitting on the cold floor. My thoughts spun out of order, aimless.
Resting my forehead on my knees, I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing the noise of the world would just fade away.
"Is this seat taken?" a familiar voice asked.
I lifted my head. Kessie was there, smiling with that warmth that always broke through my armor. Without asking permission, she sat beside me, resting her back against the wall and gently taking my hand.
"Do you remember the first day you arrived in the elven kingdom?" she asked, twitching her pointed ears up and down.
It was hard to speak, but I managed to force a faint smile.
"Of course I remember," I replied sarcastically. "That was the day you almost got me arrested by the royal guards."
Kessie laughed softly, then, with her usual impulsive energy, stood up and pulled my hand firmly.
"Come on," she said, smiling. "I want to show you something."
Still unsteady, I let her guide me through the hallway as the evening light bathed the walls in pale gold.
In just a few steps, we reached a door unlike any other. The runes surrounding it shimmered with a life of their own, dancing in the air as if recognizing someone's presence.
Kessie extended her hand and channeled her mana. A metallic click echoed from the other side, and the door opened slowly, revealing an entirely empty room.
"What is this place?" I asked, confused.
She didn't answer. Instead, she gently pushed me inside and closed the door behind us, flashing a mischievous smile.
"Kessie, there's nothing here," I said, scanning the bare walls. "What are you trying to show me?"
"Just wait a moment," she replied, walking toward the windows.
With graceful movements, she untied the green curtains and drew them shut. The room sank into complete darkness.
By instinct, I raised my hand and conjured a small sphere of fire, its glow faintly illuminating the space.
Our shadows stretched across the walls, large and wavering. Kessie approached me, took my hand, and gently closed my fingers.
"What I'm about to show you… can't be seen with light," she said with a playful smile.
The sphere vanished, and darkness enveloped us. I felt her breath near my ear when she whispered:
"Let your astral magic manifest."
I obeyed. Closing my eyes, I let the mana flow freely. A faint reddish aura began to spread from my body, painting the air with a warm glow.
In front of me, Kessie's white aura emerged as well, swirling with mine like two streams recognizing each other.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. We simply watched one another in silence as the energy pulsed between us.
And then, something incredible happened.
From the walls, veins of green light began to sprout, spreading slowly across every corner of the room.
The lines intertwined with precision, forming a map. Within seconds, the space transformed entirely—before us shone the living projection of the continent of Mayora.
My eyes fixed on the north, where a name carved in radiant light marked my home: Auroria.
I reached toward the ceiling, my fingers brushing the glowing silhouette of my kingdom. In that simple gesture, I felt my parents, my sisters… everything I had once accepted losing for the sake of power.
"I like seeing how huge this continent is," Kessie said, lying on the floor with her hands behind her head. "We're so small in such an enormous world."
I smiled at her words and lay down beside her. The chill of the floor mixed with the warmth of the green glow, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of the world seemed to disappear.
The map floated above us—breathing, alive. And in that shared silence, nostalgia found me.
I had promised myself I wouldn't become Matías… yet every step I took to prevent his return dragged me closer to his shadow.
That helplessness of having no power… it was a poison that burned quietly—unseen, but constant.
"I love this world," I said without thinking.
Kessie turned her face toward me.
"And this world loves you," she replied softly.
I gave her a tired but genuine smile.
Then I looked back at my kingdom, watching the light that represented everything I now loved.
I didn't want power for myself.
I wanted it for them.