The world should've ended that day. And maybe it did. But instead of darkness, I woke up to the sound of birds.
My eyes opened sharply — a gasp caught in my throat. I was lying in a bed that shouldn't exist anymore. Soft sheets. Morning light pouring through golden curtains. The scent of warm bread floating faintly in the air.
This was my room. But… it wasn't ruined. It wasn't the pile of ash I died in.
I sat up slowly, my heart pounding. My hands — smaller, lighter — trembled as I reached for the old wooden table beside my bed. A silver chain lay coiled on it.
The necklace.
My mother's necklace.
I stared at it like it was alive. In my past life, it had shattered in the fire — the same fire that took her.
I reached out and touched it. Warm. Real.
My breath hitched.
"This isn't possible," I whispered, my voice cracking.
Memories came rushing in like a storm — not gentle, not slow. My sister screaming. Father falling to protect us. The throne room crumbling in flames. My own hands glowing with dark magic I could no longer control. Everything I destroyed.
Everything I lost.
I pressed my hands to my face and curled forward, teeth clenched. My shoulders shook, but I didn't cry. Not this time. My tears had already burned away with everything else.
Was this a dream? A trick? Or…
A second chance?
I looked down again. The necklace shimmered faintly. A small glow, like it was responding.
Throwing the blanket off, I climbed out of bed. My feet hit the cold floor, and for a moment I hesitated. I hadn't walked in this room since I was ten.
Now I was ten again.
Each step toward the door felt surreal — like walking through the memory of a dream I forgot I had.
When I opened the door, the hallway beyond was bright and clean. The tapestries were still there. The portraits. The soft carpets. Not scorched, not destroyed.
Not yet.
I stepped out quietly, trying to steady my breath, when a familiar voice called out.
"Ah, young master! You're awake early today!"
I froze.
It was Ellis — our butler.
He died five years ago. Burned saving my sister during the attack.
But here he was. Smiling like he always did. Holding a silver tray with my usual morning tea.
"You look pale," he said kindly. "Did you have a bad dream?"
My lips parted, but no words came out.
Dream. Right. That would be easier.
I just nodded. "...Yeah."
"Well, a bath is ready if you'd like it. Also—" He paused. "Your sister is already in the garden. Said she wanted to catch butterflies."
My heart stopped.
I turned, ran.
I knew the way. Past the hall of mirrors. Down the winding stairs. Through the glass doors that led to the garden terrace.
And there — in the golden light of morning — was my little sister.
Aria.
Her hair was tied in twin ribbons, her smile brighter than anything I remembered. She spun in circles, chasing a butterfly with both arms in the air, laughing as the breeze danced around her.
Alive.
She was alive.
I took a shaky step forward. The sound of her laugh broke something inside me.
She turned suddenly and spotted me. "Brother!" she called. "Come help me catch it!"
I opened my mouth, but no sound came. Only a breath. Only disbelief.
"Are you okay?" she asked, skipping toward me with a concerned look. "You look weird."
I dropped to one knee and pulled her into a hug — tightly, like she'd disappear if I let go.
"Hey—! What's wrong with you?" she squirmed. "You're being weird!"
"Sorry," I said quietly, smiling through tears I didn't realize had escaped. "I just… missed you."
She tilted her head. "But we saw each other last night?"
I laughed softly. "Yeah. That's true."
Later, when I returned to my room, the house was still quiet.
I stared at the necklace on the table again. This time, I picked it up and wore it. The metal rested against my chest like a promise. Like a warning.
If this was real — if this was truly the past — then I wouldn't waste it.
I wouldn't let the same tragedies happen.
I wouldn't lose her again. Or Father. Or this kingdom.
I sat down at my desk, fingers shaking only slightly, and opened the old notebook I used to scribble spells in. The pages were blank. Waiting.
This time, I'll be different. This time, I won't fall into darkness. This time, I'll protect what matters.
And if the crest of ruin inside me awakens again—
I'll face it with my own hands.
[End of Chapter 1]