Alvin sat quietly on the old wooden bench, its surface warm beneath him from the afternoon sun. The park around him was peaceful—children laughing in the distance, leaves rustling softly in the breeze, birds fluttering from branch to branch. It was a beautiful day, impossibly serene.
But Alvin's gaze was fixed on the sky.
Not the trees. Not the people. Not the sunlit path. Only the sky.
The endless blue stretched far above him, clear and gentle—yet every time he looked at it, his heart tightened. Eight days. Only eight days had passed since he'd arrived in this new land, Azvel Continent, and been taken in by the Altavis family.
Eight days since I lost everything.
They had welcomed him with sincerity—warm hands, soft smiles, and not a hint of hesitation despite his different race. They became a new home he never expected to find.
Yet no kindness could erase the memories carved deep into him.
Mother... Father... the life you gave me... the sacrifice you made... I can never repay it.
Alvin closed his eyes. And the sky in front of him vanished—replaced by fire.
[The Fall of Latreess]
The capital of the Latreess Kingdom had once been a sanctuary of shimmering beauty. Tall white towers spiraled into the heavens, surrounded by ancient trees whose silver leaves caught sunlight like gemstones.
That day, it was hell.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the palace so violently that the windows shattered into glittering shards. Flames swallowed entire districts in an instant. Smoke rose in thick black pillars. Elves screamed, their cries merging with the roars of dragons.
"Demon King's army! Run! Everyone, run!"
Clang! Boom! Thud!
Screams.
Smoke.
Fire.
The beautiful capital, the pride of elves for generations, was reduced to rubble in minutes.
From the balcony of the palace, Alvin saw everything with horrifying clarity. Dragons diving from the sky, breathing waves of fire upon fleeing civilians. Demons tore through soldiers with brutal efficiency. Houses imploded, collapsing under the impact of monstrous blows.
His hands trembled. His breath faltered. Why? Why are they doing this?
"Alvine!"
A strong hand gripped his shoulder. Alvin turned to find his father—Atlasion Dass'el Latreess, Elf King and protector of their people—his expression grave yet calm despite the chaos.
"Get out of here! Leave the capital at once. Let us face the dragons and demons."
"Father, why?" Alvin's voice shook. "Why did they suddenly attack us?"
Atlasion hesitated only a moment. "The Demon King and Dragon King wanted you. As their consort. I refused."
Alvin felt his heart freeze. "Th—that's why they destroyed an entire kingdom because of me?"
"There is… another reason." His father clenched his jaw. "They want the heirloom. The one protected by our—"
BOOM!!
The castle wall exploded inward. Soldiers scrambled as dust and stone erupted everywhere.
A deep, mocking laugh echoed through the settling smoke.
"Hahahaha… finally."
The elven commander shouted, "Formation! Protect His Majesty!"
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Footsteps approached—the measured, confident steps of a tyrant who feared nothing.
When the smoke cleared, he emerged.
Black horns curled from his temples.
Dark wings spread wide behind him.
His grin stretched with predatory delight.
Hazellios Exaras Devillan, Demon King.
Atlasion glared. "Hazellios! What have you done to my kingdom?!"
"Your kingdom?" Hazellios smirked. "I warned you. Hand over the heirloom. Hand over the boy. You refused."
Alvin stepped back unconsciously as the Demon King's crimson gaze slid toward him, assessing him like a prized jewel.
"My, my…" Hazellios hummed. "Such fire in your eyes. Are you already in love with me, little Alvine?"
Alvin's voice erupted before he realized it. "I would never marry someone like you! You monster!"
Hazellios laughed—a loud, echoing cackle filled with cruelty.
The elven soldiers lunged. But—
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Heads fell, bodies collapsed. All without Hazellios moving a finger.
Alvin stumbled backward in horror. "W-What… what did you do…?"
"Hazellios! You savage beast!" Atlasion roared
"Hahaha! Try killing me, elf king. But I'll slaughter him first."
His gaze hardened. An invisible slash shot from his eyes.
Alvin didn't see it—only felt the wind shift before his father shoved him aside.
THUD!
Stone split where his body had been.
"Run!" Atlasion commanded. "Alvine, go!"
Alvin ran. But he hadn't taken five steps before—
ZRASH!
Pain exploded across his back. An invisible blade tore through flesh. He crashed to the floor, tasting blood.
"ALVINE!"
His father's magic surged with fury—wind, light, fire—yet Hazellios dodged all of it effortlessly, laughter rising like thunder.
Alvin pushed himself up, body trembling, only to be surrounded by the demon king's subordinates.
"Kill him," Hazellios ordered casually.
ZRASH!
Two blades pierced Alvin's stomach.
"ALVINE!!!" Atlasion's voice cracked into desperation.
Wind magic shredded the attackers instantly, but Alvin was already collapsing. His vision blurred. His father caught him before he hit the floor.
"F-Father… I'm sorry…"
"No." Atlasion's voice broke. "You will live. I will not lose you."
He slammed his hand onto the marble floor.
Magic circles lit up beneath Alvin's body—crackling, unstable, the mark of forbidden random teleportation.
Hazellios scoffed. "As if that will save him. You're sending him into the unknown!"
But Atlasion leaned down, whispering one final truth into Alvin's ear—something that widened Alvin's eyes even as darkness swallowed him whole. And then—silence.
[Present]
"Alvin?"
A voice pulled him back.
Alvin blinked. Kazien Altavis stood before him, his expression carved from worry. His violet eyes softened as he saw Alvin's tear-streaked face.
"M-My dear?" Alvin stammered. "Why… why are you here?"
Kazien sat beside him without waiting for an invitation. He gently brushed away the lingering tears on Alvin's cheeks with his thumb.
"I should be asking you," he murmured.
"Why were you crying alone? What were you thinking about?"
Alvin exhaled shakily. "I was remembering… my homeland. The attack! The dragons! The demons!"
Kazien's eyes widened. His hand froze in midair.
"So that's what haunts you…"
Alvin swallowed hard. "My father shared his life energy with me while I was dying… and gave up his life for mine."
Kazien's breath hitched. He moved closer, placing a hand behind Alvin's back.
"I'm sorry," Kazien said quietly. "I can't imagine how painful that was. But listen…" He gently guided Alvin's head to rest on his shoulder. "Don't you dare waste his sacrifice! If you want to cry, cry. If you want to scream, scream. But don't drown in the shadows of your past."
Alvin's voice trembled. "Can… can I cry for him?"
Kazien wrapped an arm around him, protective and warm. "Cry. As much as you need. I'm here."
"Isn't it… disrespectful to cry?"
Kazien tilted Alvin's chin up, forcing him to meet his eyes. "Crying doesn't disrespect him. It honors him. But once those tears fall… you must rise again. Live the life he wanted you to live."
Those words shattered the dam inside Alvin.
He cried loudly, desperately burying himself against Kazien's chest. Kazien said nothing, only stroked Alvin's hair, holding him through every tremble and broken sob.
Father… thank you.Because of you… I found a home. I found someone who loves me. I found a family who warms my heart. I swear… I will live. And one day… I will destroy the Devillan Kingdom and every dragon that aided them.
When Alvin's tears finally subsided, he looked up. Kazien wiped his cheeks tenderly.
"Are you done crying?"
"Y-Yes…" Alvin whispered.
"Feel lighter now?"
Alvin nodded. Kazien smiled softly.
"Good. Stand up now. Live. Smile. I'll be here, always."
Alvin hesitated. "Even if one day… I want revenge?"
Kazien didn't even flinch. "Then I'll walk beside you. We'll face it together."
He cupped Alvin's cheek—gentle, warm, loving. "For now, let your heart rest."
Alvin threw his arms around him, clinging like a drowning soul to the only warmth left in the world. "I'm so grateful for you! Please… don't ever leave me."
Kazien exhaled softly, stroking the golden hair beneath his fingers. "I won't. How could I ever leave someone so precious?"
He kissed Alvin's forehead soft, lingering. "I love you," he murmured.
Alvin's heart fluttered violently. "I love you too. Forever."
And under the peaceful sky that once witnessed tragedy, Alvin found something he thought he had lost—A future worth living for.