The air trembled.
At the center of the Great Forest, Airi stood barefoot on the soft moss, her hand resting gently on Haruto's sleeve. Wolf Lord Frost stood beside them like a silent guardian, his white fur shimmering with mana. The morning light filtered down through the colossal trees, each trunk thick as a castle tower. The deeper they walked into the forest, the darker the world became, until even sunlight seemed afraid to touch the earth.
Airi held her breath.
For the first time since arriving in this world, she felt something calling to her. A distant whisper, like a bell drowned beneath water. A gentle force tugged at her very soul, urging her farther.
Haruto noticed her trembling fingers.
"Are you okay?"
Airi nodded. "Something… is pulling me."
Frost's ears twitched. "Your mana is resonating. Whatever lies ahead reacts to your presence."
The deeper they went, the more the forest changed. The vines grew silver, leaves grew iridescent, and small glowing orbs floated above the ground like wandering souls. Haruto's eyes narrowed.
"This place… the mana is too pure. It doesn't feel like this world."
Airi slowed down, her heartbeat loud in her ears. The whisper became clearer, turning into a soft, melodious voice.
Welcome home.
Airi froze.
She had never heard the voice before, yet it felt familiar. Like a memory she had forgotten.
Haruto stepped in front of her protectively. "Airi?"
Airi didn't answer. She stepped past him, guided by instinct.
At the center of a clearing stood a massive stone arch covered in vines. It looked ancient—older than kingdoms, older than humanity itself. On its surface were engravings of wings. The arch glowed faintly the moment Airi touched it.
Haruto reached for her wrist. "Airi, wait—"
But the stone pulsed under her fingertips. Blue light spilled across the surface of the arch like water.
Airi's voice trembled. "I… know this place."
Her feet moved on their own. Frost lowered his head, bowing unknowingly.
"It is responding to the blood of the Ascended," Frost murmured. "To you."
Haruto stiffened. "Ascended?"
Frost didn't look away from the arch. "The ones who were chosen by gods. You two carry divine mana. This place was waiting for its rightful master."
Airi felt warmth flooding her body, not burning but embracing.
Then the arch flared to life.
The empty space within turned from air into a swirling veil of silver and azure. Airi felt the pull again, deep within her chest. Haruto grabbed her hand.
"You don't have to go alone."
Airi smiled at him—small, soft, grateful.
And she stepped through.
The world shattered like glass.
She opened her eyes to a sky that didn't exist.
There were no clouds.
Only stars.
Airi stood on a field of soft grass that glowed faintly like stardust. Blue butterflies fluttered around her feet. A river curved through the meadow, but instead of reflecting the sky, it reflected memories—her and Haruto laughing at a festival when she was younger, her clinging to his arm, him patting her head to calm her crying. The water reflected what was most precious to her.
"This… is beautiful," Airi whispered, tears forming.
Haruto and Frost emerged behind her. Haruto looked around, stunned. "This place… it's not part of the physical world."
Frost sniffed the air. "A pocket dimension. A sanctuary created by gods. Only the ruler can access it."
Airi stared at her hands, trembling. "Me…?"
Haruto squeezed her shoulder gently. "You are chosen."
Airi's heart swelled with warmth.
For so long in her old life, she felt like a burden. Someone who needed saving. Someone who could only cling to her brother's back.
But here—
She was the anchor of this world.
The air rippled as the dark elves approached timidly. Their chieftain bowed deeply.
"We offer our loyalty to the High Ones, and our gratitude for sanctuary."
Airi blinked. "High Ones?"
Haruto whispered awkwardly, "They think we're gods."
The chieftain kept his head low. "Your presence alone purifies the tainted mana. Your companion commands the frost element. Your eyes shine with worlds beyond this one. We will serve with our lives."
Airi panicked.
"I-I don't need servants. I just don't want anyone to suffer or be without a home."
The elves lifted their heads in disbelief. Their chieftain finally spoke, voice trembling.
"We have never met beings of power who speak with hearts so gentle."
Airi stepped forward and knelt down—not above them, but beside them.
"You are not beneath us. You're family now."
The elves' eyes widened. Frost looked away, tail flicking with respect. Haruto smiled softly, a warmth she hadn't seen on his face in weeks.
And in that moment, something inside Airi unlocked.
Not from fear.
Not from desperation.
From love.
Mana flooded the air—pure white, shimmering like moonlight on snow. The butterflies swirled around her, forming patterns in the air. Her hair lifted with the wind.
Haruto watched, breath stolen. "Airi…"
A soft hum vibrated through the dimension as the land shifted around them—forming houses, rivers, and gardens. The ground molded itself to her imagination. Flowers sprouted where her mana touched. Water flowed in shapes she dreamed of.
She wasn't just strong.
She was creation itself.
The elves gasped in awe. Haruto placed a hand over his heart.
"Welcome home," he whispered.
Airi exhaled slowly, tears falling down her cheeks.
For the first time, she wasn't clinging to Haruto.
She stood beside him.
"Aetheria," Airi said firmly. "This is our new home."
The land responded, glowing bright.
Aetheria was born.
That night
Under a sky filled with infinite stars, the dark elves built temporary shelters while Haruto helped carry logs. Airi stood near the river, staring at the flowing memories.
A single reflection caught her attention.
Haruto bleeding on the ground from the arrow.
Her chest tightened.
Haruto approached quietly and knelt beside her.
"You're thinking about that moment."
Airi didn't deny it. "I thought I would lose you."
"You won't," he answered simply. "Not in this world. Not anywhere."
Airi turned to him slowly, tears gathering.
"Promise?"
Haruto raised his pinky finger.
"I will protect you. Wherever we go. Whoever stands in our way."
Airi linked her pinky with his.
"And I… will protect our home."
They held their hands like that for a long time, until Frost cleared his throat loudly from behind them.
"Ahem. Public affection is prohibited after midnight."
Haruto deadpanned. Airi burst into laughter.
Frost flicked his tail innocently.
"If you two become a couple, please inform me in advance. I must prepare ceremonial blessings."
Haruto choked. Airi turned bright red.
"W-we are siblings!"
Frost blinked. "…Oh. Then I shall prepare sibling bonding activities."
Airi and Haruto groaned in unison.
The sound of laughter echoed across the newly born world of Aetheria.
A place where they were no longer weak.
No longer hunted.
No longer alone.
END OF CHAPTER 7