The grand doors to the throne room groaned open. The golden light of the chandeliers shimmered against polished stone as Kaosu and his companions stepped inside. Every breath felt heavy beneath the gaze of the soldiers and the towering figure upon the throne.
King Karyu leaned forward, resting his chin on his fist. A thin smile curled his lips.
"I've been expecting you."
Kaosu opened his mouth to speak, but before he could finish, Karyu interrupted.
"You wish to join the Knight Academy."
Kaosu's eyes narrowed. "How do you know that?"
Karyu chuckled, his voice rolling like distant thunder. "I am the King. Of course I would know."
Before Kaosu could press further, Guard No. 2, Toko, stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"My King, may I have permission to speak with someone?"
Karyu waved his hand lazily. "You may."
Her eyes scanned the group until they landed on Kori. Slowly, she approached him, her gaze unblinking.
"What is your name?"
Kori shifted uneasily under her stare. "…Kori. That's my name."
Toko's eyes widened. It's him… my son. She steadied her breath. "Then… tell me your Nexus."
Kori hesitated, then answered. "My Nexus are Star… and Crackling Thunder."
The throne room fell silent. Even the golden soldiers stiffened in surprise. Karyu himself raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Kaosu and Supira alone seemed unfazed.
"You have two Nexuses?" the King muttered, leaning back.
Toko's face hardened, her voice sharp. "Impossible. You were supposed to have Ice—not Thunder."
Confused, Kori stepped forward. "What? How? Who even are you?"
Toko smiled faintly, though her eyes were heavy with regret. "I am Royal Guard No. 2, Toko. My Nexus is Ice—evolved into Frost. And… I am your mother."
Gasps rippled through the chamber. Even Kaosu froze in shock.
Kori's voice cracked with anger. "No… That's not possible. My mother abandoned me!"
Toko lowered her head. "Yes. And I have not been proud of that choice since the day it happened."
Fury surged through Kori. His Nexus flared to life—Star and Thunder radiating with raw power. He lunged at her, sparks and light flashing. Toko raised a hand, a shield of ice materializing before her. To her surprise, it shattered instantly, and Kori's strike slammed into her stomach. Yet she didn't move an inch.
Calmly, she said, "I won't stop fighting you… until you awaken your true Ice Nexus."
"I can't!" Kori shouted, trembling with frustration.
"Tell me then—can you walk on water?"
"…Yes," he admitted.
Toko's gaze softened. "Then listen. Thunder is not a Nexus—it is an ability. One your father had. He possessed no Nexus. The Ice belongs to you."
Kori's eyes widened. "Then… how do I activate it?"
"Think cold thoughts," Toko said simply.
Kori clenched his fists, closing his eyes. His breathing slowed. The room's temperature dropped sharply, mist spilling into the air. His hair fell limp, the tips dusted with delicate flakes of snow.
Toko's eyes glistened with pride. He learned it so quickly…
But before she could revel in it, Kori's aura surged. He froze her legs in place, then unleashed a brilliant Star Beam. The attack rattled the castle walls as it shot forward. Toko braced herself, Frost rising around her to block the strike.
The moment her defense held, Kori appeared beside her in a flash, prepared to deliver a devastating blow. But his strength gave out—his body collapsing mid-strike.
Toko caught him before he hit the ground, her movements gentle despite her armor. She looked down at him, her voice tender. "You've done enough, my son." Carefully, she carried him to Kaosu, placing him in his arms.
Turning back, she bowed to the throne. "Thank you, my King."
Karyu's lips curled into a wry grin. "And thank you for the… entertainment. Truly, the hits keep coming."
Then his eyes sharpened, fixing on Kaosu like a hawk. His voice dropped, deep and commanding.
"Now… down to business."
The throne room grew silent, the tension almost unbearable. Kaosu stood tall, meeting the King's gaze head-on. Neither spoke further—yet the storm between them had only just begun.