Chapter Two
Season Two
Part One
The scene takes place at the summit of the mountain that overlooks the royal palace —
the same place where Kaith and Iris once fought.
Kaith stood staring at Alia, his gaze sharp and cautious.
Kaith: "So, Alia… how did you reach this place? I know you're strong — perhaps even stronger than me right now, since I'm injured — but this area has been forbidden for seven years. Even the Salvation Corps only entered recently to eliminate Iris."
Alia hesitated slightly.
Alia (nervously): "It was just by coincidence… I was taking a walk."
Kaith raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
Kaith: "I won't force you to answer… but at least make the answer believable."
Alia: "Thank you… I'll try harder next time."
Suddenly, the ground began to shake violently.
Alia: "Is that an earthquake?"
Kaith: "Maybe… this area used to be under Iris's magic."
A strange figure slowly emerged from the fog, its eyes glowing with a deep violet light.
As the mist parted, the figure revealed itself — dressed in elegant clothing, yet clearly not human.
Its body resembled a black flame, burning silently, with glowing purple eyes. The space around it was swallowed by darkness, even though its form shone like fire.
Yes… it was the Second Shard.
The Shard of Malice — Arthur.
Arthur spoke with a mocking smile.
Arthur: "Welcome, Kaith Aztherion… I heard you lost both your brother and your father at the same time."
He paused dramatically, pretending to feel sympathy.
Arthur: "Ah… my apologies. I meant the spirit of your father — the one you killed with your own hands… and the brother who loved you and sacrificed himself for you. How touching."
Kaith's eyes darkened with rage.
Kaith: "I'll kill you, you bastard."
Arthur spread his arms theatrically.
Arthur: "Wait, wait… I forgot to introduce myself properly. I am Arthur — the Second Shard of the Summoning Fragments."
He smirked.
Arthur: "And unlike the first shard, I'm not stupid or ignorant. I know you're powerful… but you're not nearly as clever as you think."
Kaith (coldly): "Great. Even better reason to kill you."
Arthur laughed, an eerie grin spreading across his face.
Arthur: "How cruel. I'm weak, you know — nothing compared to you. But still… I welcome the fight."
Suddenly—
Alia shouted: "Stop, Kaith!"
Kaith glanced at her.
Alia: "The Second Shard is known as the Shard of Malice! He's setting a trap for you!"
Kaith blinked in surprise.
Kaith: "That's… correct.
Wait… there are no books that talk about the shards. How do you know that?"
Arthur's smile widened.
Arthur: "How could you not know me? I'm extremely famous. Of course everyone knows me… isn't that right, Alia—"
Before he could finish his sentence—
Alia moved like lightning.
Her sword flashed through the air.
Slash.
Arthur's head flew off in a single strike.
Black smoke burst outward as the body dissolved into the air.
Alia calmly sheathed her sword.
Alia: "Just a copy… not the real one. He's definitely watching us right now."
Kaith stared at her in disbelief.
Kaith: "Alia… how do you know all of this? And he knew your name too. That's a little suspicious."
Alia: "Come on, Kaith. He was observing us. That's obvious."
Kaith: "And what proof do you have?"
Alia stared at him in disbelief.
Alia: "Do you actually have a brain… or are you just stupid?"
Kaith crossed his arms confidently.
Kaith: "Of course I'm intelligent."
Alia sighed.
Alia: "Then answer this. If he wasn't watching us, how did he know you killed your brother today? How did he know that what died was your father's spirit and not his body? And how did he know my name?"
Kaith froze slightly.
Kaith: "…You might be right. How did I miss that?"
Alia shook her head.
Alia: "I'm apparently talking to a child."
Kaith: "Wait, I'm an adult! I'm twenty-four years old!"
Alia smirked mockingly.
Alia: "Really? I thought you were a seventeen-year-old teenager. Turns out you're older than me… and still stupid."
Kaith laughed lightly.
Kaith: "I am older than you. Though honestly, I thought you were about thirty."
Alia's eyes widened with fury.
Alia: "You old bastard! I'm eighteen! How dare you say thirty?! Do you not know how to talk to women?!"
Kaith burst out laughing.
Kaith: "Relax, I was joking."
Alia took a deep breath, clearly trying to calm herself.
Alia: "Enough joking. Let's go to the city."
Kaith smiled.
Kaith: "You're very moody."
Alia glared at him.
Alia: "Do you want me to cut your tongue out?"
Kaith: "No, please… Lady Mood-Swing."
A short while later, the two of them descended the massive mountain. It was truly enormous, towering over the land.
The air was calm and quiet.
Then—
Alia suddenly stopped walking.
She turned toward Kaith, her expression suddenly serious.
Alia: "Kaith… I know your secret."
Kaith chuckled.
Kaith: "Which one? I have quite a few."
Alia looked straight into his eyes.
Alia: "The one that brought you to this point, Kaith Aztherion… though perhaps you prefer King Kaith."
Kaith's smile vanished instantly.
Sweat began to form on his forehead.
Kaith: "W-what… what do you mean by that?"
Inside Kaith's mind:
King Kaith…? That's impossible. No one should know that. That happened twelve attempts ago… even I was starting to forget it.
He looked at her sharply.
Kaith: "Alia, you're mistaken—"
She interrupted him softly.
Alia (in a quiet voice):
"I mean… that you return after death, Kaith."
End of Chapter Two.