Wind screamed through the cliffs as snow fell in heavy waves, covering the jagged peaks of Mt. Jukara in white,This was one of the oldest and coldest places left in this realm .
The mountain house sat carved into the stone, halfway up its jagged spine part fortress, part cabin, part forgotten shrine. It had no neighbors. Just Ice. And silence.
Inside was warm with Candles flickering as Iron lanterns swayed slightly from the beams above. And then...
"Just a little more, Kanao!"
"You're almost there. Push again!"
The woman on the bed arched her back in pain as she gripped the sheet of the bed.
Blonde hair matted to her face. Blue eyes glassy with pain. She looked like a goddess in war ,gorgeous, glowing, and very close to punching someone in the throat. A blue dragon pendant hung around her neck, faintly shimmering.
"She's crowning!" one of the midwives shouted.
"Crowning what?! My soul?!" Kanao barked, kicking wildly.
A second midwife dodged and laughed. "You're almost there! Don't stop now!"
Across the room stood Finn. shirtless , muscular, and handsome .
Twin dragon tattoos curled from his knuckles all the way up his arms. His ponytail was annoyingly perfect for someone who hadn't lifted a finger. Black pants tucked into scuffed black boots, a red sash securing the sheathed sword at his waist.
He stepped forward .
"You're doing great, Kanao. Just breathe."
"Breathe?!" she snapped, glaring at him with murder in her eyes. "After this, I'm getting my sapphire blade, a hot bath, and thirty minutes alone. You're watching him every night for the next three months. No debate."
Finn held up both hands. "Done. Consider me your royal babysitter."
She screamed again, louder this time—louder than the wind raging outside . The whole cabin shook.
And then
A sound broke through the chaos.
Soft.
Small.
Crying.
The midwives moved quickly, wrapping the baby in white cloth.
"It's a boy," one of them whispered.
But Kanao was already out cold, her chest slowly rising and falling.
Finn took the child gently, eyes locked on the small, red face.
"…Hey there," he muttered.
The baby blinked up at him, lips pursed .
Finn smiled ,then paused.
"…You're already scowling. Definitely her kid."
########### ###########
Where am I…
Everything was light. Not white. Not gold. Just… light.
Kin blinked or tried to. His eyelids felt like heavy. His body felt wrong ,soft, light, like feathers packed in flesh.
Why can't I move?
Muffled voices buzzed around him. Warmth surrounded his body. It smelled like old cloth, and… pine?
His vision slowly sharpened.
Above him loomed a man. Tan skin. Sharp jaw. Hair tied neatly back. His arms were thick with muscle, but what caught Kin's eyes were the tattoos.
Dragons.
Black, curling, ancient.
He froze.
…I've seen those before. Body magic.
He tried to speak, but all that came out was a pathetic coo.
No. No, no, no. This can't be....
The man chuckled.
"You look just like your mom. Poor kid. Already got attitude."
He shifted the baby into one arm and glanced toward the door.
The nurses were packing up.
"Here," he said, flipping a few golden coins toward them. "Thanks. Go get something hot. She's out cold,I've got him."
"And remember, keep this between us,"
They left.
Silence filled the room again.
Kin moved his hand slightly. It was just a twitch, but it was enough.
He saw it. Tiny. Round. Weak.
A baby's hand.
What the hell is this.
This isn't reincarnation. This is a downgrade.
Then a voice rang out.
Not loud, but enough for Finn to hear.
Let me see him."
Finn turned.
Kanao was sitting up now, a bit pale, but wide awake now . Sweat clung to her skin, and her hair was still a mess.
The man .Finn gently placed the newborn baby in Kanao's arms. Kin's small body tensed. The light was too much for his fragile eyes. So he squeezed his eyes shut again.
Kanao let out a shaky breath, tears still on her cheeks. Her hands trembled a little, but her smile didn't.
"He's beautiful…" she whispered. "Just like I dreamed."
Kin stirred at her voice. It felt... familiar, too familiar. It was like something old had brushed the edge of his mind.
He slowly opened one eye .
Deep blue eyes. The same shade as his.
A soft face. Blonde hair clinging to her forehead from the sweat . Skin flushed with effort. She wore a faintly glowing dragon-shaped necklace—hard to forget once you saw it.
Then something hit him in the head , like a memory punched loose.
He blinked, confused.
Kanao.
Finn's voice cut through the moment. "You sure you're okay holding him? You've barely recovered."
Kanao smiled weakly. "Please. After all that screaming, you owe me a castle and a feast."
Finn laughed under his breath. "I'll settle for not fainting."
They both looked down at the baby boy between them.
Then Kanao spoke softly , "Let's name him after my grandfather."
On hearing this, Finn's expression changed. He frowned.
"You mean your father? The one who abandoned Havilah when things got rough? I thought we agreed that man wasn't worth remembering."
"He was a legend, Finn. He wasn't perfect, but he was strong. He taught me what it meant to protect people."
Finn folded his arms, then looked down at his son again. The boy's eyes were wide open and quiet as he watched his parents .
Finn exhaled. "...Fine. But only because it makes you smile."
Kanao grinned. "Then it's settled."
She looked down at her child, cradling him close.
"Welcome home, Kin Giyome."
The name echoed in Kin's head like a bell ringing in an empty cathedral.
Kin.
Then, Kanao.
Finn said it offhandedly, a soft "Kanao, he's got your eyes," while adjusting the sheets around her.
But for the boy in her arms, it hit like thunder.
His eyes snapped open, wide, and focused. He didn't look at her like a newborn—he looked like he remembered her.
The memories came flooding in, fast and hard.
A voice yelling his name in the flames. Her voice.
A blurred hand reaching for him. Her hand.
Kin couldn't speak. His throat was weak, and his mind was still trying to piece everything together .
But something broke in him.
And he cried.
Loud, confused, desperate, like a baby.
Kanao gasped. "Finn… he's crying."
Finn stepped closer, eyes wide. "He hasn't made a sound until now…"
Kanao held Kin tighter, rocking him gently. "Shh, it's okay, love… you're safe. You're safe."
But Kin wasn't crying for comfort.
He was crying because the war wasn't over.