The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting golden light over the Walker estate. The island's edge shimmered like molten glass, and the sound of waves crashing below the cliff blended with the occasional chirp of seabirds returning to roost. A warm breeze tousled Allen's hair as he sat with his legs dangling off the edge of the old stone wall, his little sister Selene beside him, mimicking his pose.
"I'm gonna jump," she whispered mischievously.
Allen turned, one brow cocked. "You're not even five yet, you maniac."
She giggled, nudging him with her elbow. "Mama says I'm brave like Papa."
Allen laughed. "Yeah, well, Papa got stabbed by Mama the first time they met. You sure you wanna be that brave?"
Selene tilted her head. "Mama stabbed him because he said something dumb. So it's Papa's fault."
"Exactly," Allen said with a grin, ruffling her hair. "Lesson number one, never flirt with a woman holding a blade."
From behind them, Serena's voice echoed with mock sternness. "Are you two planning to jump into the sea or just sit there talking nonsense?"
"Just teaching Selene about the dangers of love, Mama," Allen shouted back.
"At this rate, you'll be a heartbreaker before you hit ten," she teased.
As she approached, the wind caught her long silver hair, her presence glowing in the orange light. She crouched beside them, slipping an arm around each child. For a moment, the world went quiet.
"Do you hear it?" she asked, her voice soft.
Allen blinked. "Hear what?"
"The wind. It carries voices from far away."
Selene leaned her head on Serena's shoulder, eyes closed, trying to listen.
Allen tilted his head. At first, all he heard was the rustle of the trees and the waves. But then—
A shiver.
A whisper, not in words, but in sensation.
Like something ancient.
Something watching.
Serena's fingers tightened slightly on his shoulder.
"My little flame... the world isn't as quiet as it seems. Not anymore."
Allen didn't know how to respond. So he just nodded.
---
Later that night, Allen lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Shadows flickered across the walls from the lantern, and outside, the wind howled softly.
His hand reached under the pillow.
The fruit.
It had been glowing again. Softly, faintly.
He pulled it out, setting it in front of him. It looked almost like a black-and-gold apple, but its surface shifted like it was breathing.
He touched it.
A pulse.
And then—visions.
A burning sky.
A boy standing alone before a broken throne.
Twelve wings—six angelic, six monstrous—unfurling behind him.
And in front of him… gods kneeling.
Allen gasped, falling back, the vision fading.
His door creaked open. Serena entered silently.
"You felt it again, didn't you?" she asked.
Allen sat up slowly. "What... is it?"
Serena looked at the fruit for a long time, then sat on his bed.
"We called it the Aether Aether no Mi. But that name barely contains its truth."
"What is its truth?"
She reached out, gently brushing a hand through Allen's hair.
"That it chose you. And that the world... will never be ready."
---
The next morning, the skies were darker. Clouds gathered without storm, and seagulls had stopped singing.
Hades stood at the highest balcony, watching the sea with narrowed eyes. His black cloak fluttered like a war banner.
"He felt it," he murmured to himself. "The Flame is stirring."
Serena joined him, arms crossed.
"They're watching now. The Old Blood. The Orders. Maybe even Him."
Hades nodded slowly. "We need to begin."
Serena glanced toward the east, where the ruins of something ancient lay beneath the island.
"It's time he learns the truth—at least a sliver of it."
Hades looked back at her. "He's not ready."
Serena smiled faintly. "He's more than ready. He's our son."
---
Far across the sea, in a place untouched by maps, a man cloaked in shadows sat before a pool of still water. In it, the image of Allen flickered—then burned.
"He's awake."
Another voice, low and reverent: "Then the countdown begins."
The man nodded. "Send the first ripple. Let the world react."
A single drop of blood fell into the water.
And the sea trembled.
---
End of Chapter 13