"What was that? Where am I?" Yuomo wondered.
Yuomo tried to open his eyes, but everything was dark. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see anything. It was as if a thick fog clouded his vision, though he felt his eyelids were open. A growing fear began to take hold as he screamed mentally.
"Hello! Is anyone there? Help! I can't…" His words were lost in an internal echo, unanswered. His body was tiny, fragile, and his voice, once strong and adult, now transformed into a faint, incomprehensible whimper.
From outside, the small baby he now inhabited began to cry, a sharp and desperate sound that resonated through the room. Suddenly, Yuomo felt something shift. The darkness surrounding him slowly dissipated, and when he finally opened his eyes, he saw a beautiful face leaning over him. It was a radiant woman with light lilac hair and blue eyes full of tenderness. Though she appeared enormous from his perspective, Yuomo immediately understood—he had reincarnated as a newborn.
"Did I become smaller? Or… is what that goddess said true? Was I reborn?" Yuomo thought, confused and overwhelmed by the magnitude of what he was experiencing.
As he processed his thoughts, a hideous creature appeared before him. It was a grotesque figure, with black skin and sharp claws, emanating a dark energy that chilled the soul. Yuomo tried to scream, to call for help, but no words came out. Instead, his body began to vibrate with intense emotion, and his cries turned into a silent roar. Then, a golden aura enveloped him, shining with such intensity that it illuminated the entire room.
When the light finally faded, Yuomo could see his surroundings. Unfamiliar people surrounded him, celebrating with tears in their eyes and expressions of reverential awe.
"Is this the blessing of the goddess?" he silently wondered, watching as Prince Balniac approached. The latter looked at him with a mix of pride and curiosity, as if he already knew this child was special.
"I don't know, but I have to find out," Yuomo thought, determined, though his body was still too small to act. So my new name is Arios, he thought. Then, overcome by an overwhelming sense of fatigue, he allowed himself to close his eyes and drift off to sleep.
The baby fell asleep while people continued to gather around him, murmuring words of admiration and gratitude.
Andros, the general, approached the prince with an expression of disbelief on his face.
"What was that?" he asked, pointing to the small Arios, whose aura had purified the demons and healed the maids' wounds.
Prince Balniac remained silent for a moment, searching for the right words. Finally, he spoke firmly:
"It's best if this doesn't leave this room. It must remain a secret, understood?" His tone brooked no argument, and everyone present nodded solemnly.
Princess Eleonor also interjected, her voice soft but filled with determination.
"Yes, it's for the best. No one must know what happened today," she said, looking at her husband with concern. "But tell me, what are we going to do now?"
Balniac reflected for a moment before responding.
"We'll handle it as we always have. Step by step."
Later, the king summoned the prince and princess to his chambers. The elderly monarch, with his silver hair and well-groomed beard, radiated a quiet strength despite his advanced age. Though he walked slowly, his presence remained imposing.
"Are you all right? Was anyone hurt in the battle?" the king asked, his deep voice reflecting paternal concern.
Both shook their heads.
"We're fine, Father," Balniac replied, gesturing to the small bundle Eleonor held in her arms. "Here is our son, your grandson."
The king approached with curiosity, and upon seeing the newborn, his eyes lit up with joy.
"Oh, what a wonder. A new member of our family," he said with a warm smile. Then, lowering his voice, he added, "What is his name?"
"Arios," Balniac responded proudly.
The king nodded slowly, as if savoring the name in his mind.
"Arios… A great name for a future ruler," he declared, placing a trembling but firm hand on the baby's head as he slept peacefully.
After a moment, Eleonor took Arios away while King Kingo, with his imposing demeanor and deep voice, called his son to speak privately.
"Balniac, tell me, did you see that glow that saved the kingdom?" the elderly monarch asked, his eyes filled with wisdom and concern.
The prince nodded slowly, weighing each word before responding.
"Yes, Father. We believe it was divine intervention from our goddess. That child… my son… emitted an aura that not only protected us but also annihilated the demon hordes," Balniac explained, his voice filled with admiration and confusion.
Kingo frowned, processing the information.
"Who knows about this?" he asked seriously, his gaze piercing.
"Only those who were present in the room when it happened. They have all sworn to keep it a secret," Balniac replied firmly.
The king nodded, pleased with his son's caution.
"You've been wise to conceal such power. If other kingdoms were to find out, they would do anything to obtain it. This could unleash endless wars," Kingo reflected, his voice resonating like a warning echo. "We must train him. What that child possesses is no coincidence; it is a gift from our goddess. A weapon to combat future threats, especially the hordes of the Demon King."
Balniac gazed out the window as he pondered his father's words. He watched the workers rebuilding the castle's devastated walls, their tools clanging like small strikes of hope amidst the destruction.
"What lies ahead for my little one…" Balniac thought, feeling a mix of pride and concern.
Fifteen years later…
"Kei, have you seen your brother?" asked a woman with long, shiny lilac hair, dressed in regal attire. Her elegant posture and sweet voice radiated maternal authority.
Kei, a six-year-old boy with short lilac hair styled in a mushroom cut and large blue eyes, innocently shook his head.
"No, Mom. I don't know."
Eleonor sighed, crossing her arms as she glanced down the palace hallways.
"Where could that boy have gotten himself?" she murmured to herself before turning to Kei. "Go with one of the maids accompanying me and get ready. Lunch is ready."
At that moment, a deep voice echoed through the halls:
"Eleonor, my love! Have you seen our son?"
All the palace staff quickly bowed their heads in reverence, their movements synchronized like a well-rehearsed dance. The sound of their voices reverberated through the majestic halls, amplified by the high walls adorned with golden tapestries.
"Your Majesty!" they exclaimed in unison, their words laden with respect and loyalty.
At that moment, a man with wavy blonde hair and piercing green eyes entered the room. His thick, well-groomed beard, along with his elegant yet relaxed demeanor, made him stand out even in such an opulent setting. He wore a short dark green cape embroidered with silver threads that shimmered under the dim light of the hanging lamps.
"There's no need," King Balniac said kindly, though his face showed clear signs of frustration.
Queen Eleonor smiled calmly.
"No, I'm looking for him too. But knowing him, he's probably escaped again. He left his instructors waiting. My dear king, you should be used to these things by now."
Balniac clenched his fists, visibly annoyed.
"Why is that boy so hyperactive? Why can't he be calm and serene like his brother Kei?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the palace.
"Relax, he's just going through a rebellious phase," Eleonor responded teasingly, trying to lighten the mood.
"I can't relax! A prince must follow protocols and rules! Besides, he has important lessons to attend to. One day, he will be king of this realm," Balniac argued, sparks flying from his eyes.
Eleonor placed a hand on his shoulder, attempting to calm him.
"Relax, or you'll have a fit. You know how Arios is. He's a free spirit, but that doesn't mean he doesn't understand his responsibilities."
Balniac took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. Then, turning toward the hallways, he shouted:
"Where have you run off to, Arios?!"
It had been three years since King Kingo had passed away, and Balniac had ascended the throne. The weight of the crown was evident on his shoulders, but so was his determination to protect the kingdom and prepare his eldest son for the future.
"Again, he's driven Dad up the wall by running off!" exclaimed a ten-year-old girl with light lilac hair tied into two small pigtails. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she watched her mother, Eleonor, who was still fruitlessly searching for Prince Arios.
"Yes, it seems so," responded Claris, Eleonor's second daughter, whose refined appearance and serious demeanor reflected her studious nature. "It's no surprise. He always loves to defy Father."
Meanwhile, not far from the kingdom, chaos reigned. A group of deformed orcs and giant serpents attacked a cart surrounded by tall, bare trees. The people inside were terrified, some wounded after attempting to defend themselves from those horrific creatures. The air was thick with desperate screams and the metallic smell of blood.
The travelers already believed all was lost when, out of nowhere, a hooded youth appeared. His face was partially covered by dark glasses and a black mask, giving him a mysterious air. Calmly, he approached the group, his steady voice cutting through the chaos:
"You're in trouble. Don't worry, I'll save you."
One of the injured men, leaning heavily on an improvised cane, responded incredulously:
"There are too many of them, boy! I don't think you can handle them all. Besides, the army shouldn't take long to arrive."
The boy pulled out what appeared to be a long, thin brush. Those present exchanged confused glances, some letting out nervous laughter.
"A brush? Is he insane? He's going to get us all killed!" muttered a woman, hugging her young son tightly.
However, the young man ignored their comments. He gestured toward the monsters, drawing their attention. The beasts roared furiously and began to advance toward him, but the boy simply raised his brush and made an elegant motion, as if painting in the air. Each invisible stroke seemed to generate subtle waves that disintegrated the monsters on contact. One by one, the orcs and serpents vanished without a trace, as if they had never existed.
The people watched in awe, unable to process what they had just witnessed. The silence was absolute, broken only by the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
The hooded youth approached the survivors.
"Are you all right?" he asked calmly, placing his hand on the wounded. Instantly, their injuries healed as if they had never been there.
When he heard the sound of approaching horses signaling the arrival of the royal army, the young man used his brush and disappeared in the blink of an eye. One of the girls from the cart watched him leave, intrigued by the mysterious savior.
Back at the palace, a young soldier ran through the outskirts of the kingdom, visibly frustrated.
"Lord Arios! Where are you?" she shouted, stopping in front of a group of guards who looked at her sympathetically. "Where could he have gone?"
General Andros, now older but still imposing, let out a deep laugh.
"Ha, ha! How could you lose the prince, daughter?"
The young woman, Filiola, frowned, clearly annoyed.
"Dad, I'm not in the mood for your jokes! When I find him, I'm going to kill him…" she threatened, though she knew she wouldn't actually do it.
Andros continued laughing, enjoying the situation.
"Calm down, you'll find him. Or maybe not," he teased, winking at her.
The guards intervened to ease the tension.
"Lord Andros, don't tease your daughter," some said, trying to stifle their laughter.
"That boy has always been a headache for the kingdom," Andros replied, crossing his arms.
At that moment, a familiar voice sounded from behind.
"Were you looking for me, Filiola?"
The young woman turned quickly and saw Prince Arios, dirty and with his suit torn, but with a mischievous smile plastered across his face.