A frail-looking boy of eight lay atop a thick tree branch, his small frame barely moving with the breeze. His messy black hair fell into dark eyes, but his expression was bright, almost cheerful, as he watched the distant scene below.
The other children of the sect were practicing martial arts, leaping and striking with power he could never hope to match.
Kairi had once dreamed of joining them, of cultivating like the others. But his family was poor—not even a third-rate family. Dreams like that were luxuries he could not afford.
So he remained where he was, silent and unseen, lying on the branch, content to observe.
"Someday… will I ever cultivate too?" he thought.
He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Nah. Probably not. Instead, I'll make sure my family lives comfortably."
Sighing, he climbed down the tree and started walking back home.
"Maybe I should go back," he muttered. "Dad might get worried… or scold me later. Haha."
The streets were lively, filled with vendors and travelers. A cotton candy cart caught his eye.
Kairi reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins he had earned that day. He stared at them for a long moment.
"Dad would scold me if he knew I spent this on candy…"
But then he smiled.
"Shey will be happy. That's all that matters."
He bought the cotton candy and held it carefully, imagining the look on his little sister's face.
Kairi's house was far from the city. After a long walk, he could finally see it in the distance.
Suddenly, a cold dread filled him.
Sweat poured from his forehead. His heart raced. Something felt… wrong.
He broke into a run.
"Shey!!" he shouted, his voice trembling as his small feet stumbled over stones. Blood began to streak his soles, but he didn't care.
When he reached the house, his eyes froze.
Blood.
It was everywhere.
No.
Inside, the sight was worse than he could have imagined.
His parents lay in a pool of blood, headless. Lifeless. Killed mercilessly by someone without conscience.
Kairi stumbled back, dropping the cotton candy.
And then he saw her—Shey. His four-year-old sister.
"Shey!!" he cried, running to her. "You're alive… thank the heavens!"
He hugged her tightly, tears streaming down his face. She clung to him and cried, and he did his best to comfort her, even as his own heart shattered.
They cried together until exhaustion took them both.
Eight hours later, Kairi woke.
The horror of what had happened still weighed heavily on him.
"…Who… who did this?" he whispered, teeth gritted.
"I don't care who you are… I'll find you. No matter what."
He made a silent vow. Revenge. He would avenge his parents, no matter the cost.
While Shey slept, Kairi carried his parents' bodies outside. He dug two graves with his small hands, each movement causing his skin to tear and bleed. The rain fell harder, making the soil heavy and unforgiving.
Finally, when the graves were filled, he knelt and joined his hands in prayer.
"I know you're watching," he whispered. "Don't worry about Shey and me. I'm sorry, Father… I know you hated revenge. But I'm not you."
He clenched his fists.
"I'll find the one who did this. I'll find the one who destroyed our family. I promise. Keep watching us… until then."
Three days had passed since that devastating day.
Kairi's eyes were hollow, the cheerful boy he once was now gone. The faint smile that sometimes appeared on his lips had vanished. He walked through the bustling streets, holding his sister's small hand tightly.
Emotionless, silent, lost in thought—until a vendor's gossip reached him.
"Didn't you hear the news?" one whispered.
"What news?" the other replied.
"There's a family outside the city… wiped out three days ago. I heard they were a threat to the Imperial family… had to be eradicated."
"Black propaganda, most likely," the first scoffed. "How could a small, insignificant family even threaten an Imperial clan? Don't spout nonsense and start working."
Kairi's head snapped toward them. His gaze sharpened, deadly.
"Threat? Are you kidding me, BASTARDS?!" His voice trembled with rage. "My family… my parents… how could they possibly be a threat to the Imperial family?!"
His small hands clenched around a knife, the blade glinting in the sunlight. He was ready to strike, to make the vendors pay for their words.
Then Shey's hand gripped his tightly. Her tiny fingers pressed against his palm, her eyes full of tears, silently begging him to stop.
Kairi's anger wavered. He took a deep breath, forced a shaky laugh, and patted Shey's head.
"I'm joking, Shey… just joking. Hehe."
They continued walking. Kairi's gaze was distant, deep in thought, like a storm quietly brewing behind calm eyes.
Later, Shey sat on a bench, happily eating cotton candy. Kairi moved through the alleyways, collecting scraps of metal to sell.
"This isn't enough," he muttered under his breath, tossing a piece of metal into his bag. "Why is there so little scrap metal lately? How can I take care of Shey if I can't even earn enough for us to live comfortably? Damn it… I wish I were grown up. Shey wouldn't have to suffer like I do."
His hands ached, small cuts forming from sharp edges, but he didn't stop.
A royal carriage rolled into the city streets.
Two white steeds pulled the luxurious carriage, followed by ten armored guards. Its opulence marked it as unmistakably belonging to a royal family.
"Why is a royal here?" someone whispered. "Who… and for what purpose? I hope nothing bad happens…"
The streets had grown lively with the carriage's arrival. Some citizens bowed deeply; others shouted, "Long live the royals!" A few stood frozen in fear.
Inside the carriage, a small girl, no older than six, sat gracefully. Her raven-black hair framed a porcelain face, and her expensive silk dress announced her status: she was a princess. Beside her, her personal guard, Romeo, clad in shining armor, blonde-haired and sharp-eyed, watched every corner.
Princess sighed. "Really? That's why I asked Father to send only you with me today. Bringing so many guards would cause a commotion. And yet…" She glared around the carriage, frustrated. "…exactly what I feared."
Romeo's expression remained calm. "Your Highness, you are the daughter of the King. Danger can strike at any moment. Please bear with us."
"But I have you, don't I?" she said confidently.
Romeo allowed himself a faint smile. "Yes, Your Highness. But I am only human. Strong, yes… peak of Spirit Severing Soul cultivation… but still only human. If enemies come, I will stand before you. Before they lay a finger on you, they will go over my dead body."
The princess raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Geez, Romeo. Always showing off, aren't you? Hahaha."
He chuckled and swallowed nervously.
The princess's attention shifted. From the carriage window, she saw an unkempt child—small, filthy, barely four years old—sitting alone on a bench.
"Stop the carriage!" she shouted.
Romeo blinked. "Your Highness? What is it?"
"I want to go down," she replied simply.
The carriage stopped. The princess stepped down, her gaze fixed on the child.
Meanwhile, Kairi continued collecting scrap metal, muttering, "This still won't be enough for Shey. I need more…"
When he glanced up at his sister, he froze.
Shey was pointing, her cotton candy forgotten.
And then… he saw the princess staring at them.
"Shey!!" Kairi shouted, instinctively stepping forward.
The princess's gaze was sharp, assessing.
"Who are you?" Kairi demanded, fury and protectiveness flaring in his voice. "What do you want?!"
Romeo's expression darkened.
In an instant, he drew his sword.
Steel flashed as he shot forward like a streak of light.
"How dare you speak to Her Highness like that, you scum?!" Romeo roared. "Die!!"
Kairi didn't flinch.
He stepped in front of Shey, spreading his small arms protectively, his thin body trembling but unmoving. His hands clenched, ready to block the incoming blade—even knowing it would be useless.
Just before the sword reached him—
"STOOOOOP!!!"
The furious shout shook the street.
Romeo's eyes widened. He skidded to a halt, sweat pouring down his forehead as he turned toward the princess.
"Your Highness—!" he exclaimed urgently. "That brat is ignorant and rude! He deserves a fate worse than death!"
The princess glared at him coldly.
"You're overthinking things, Romeo," she said flatly. "Move without my permission one more time, and I'll personally ask Father to replace you with someone more obedient."
"Hmph."
Romeo stiffened.
"…Yes, Your Highness," he replied, lowering his head.
Inside, however, his thoughts boiled.
You're lucky, brat, he thought darkly. If Her Highness were like her siblings—rude and arrogant—you would already be dead.
The princess turned away from Romeo and walked closer to the small girl on the bench.
She studied Shey carefully—her messy hair, dirt-smudged face, wide and innocent eyes.
Then, without hesitation, she spoke.
"I want her."
The words fell lightly.
Yet to Kairi, they sounded heavier than thunder.