Airi sat beneath the white crystal tree in the heart of Aetheria.
The garden glowed faintly under its light. Leaves made from crystallized mana shimmered like fragments of moonlight, and soft particles drifted around her like floating stars. When she brushed her hair aside, the breeze carried a faint bell-like sound, as if the entire garden resonated with her presence.
Haruto stood a short distance away, watching over her like an unmoving shadow. His stance was relaxed yet alert, hands tucked behind his back as he scanned the perimeter out of habit. Frost—massive, regal, fur shimmering like freshly fallen snow—rested nearby, curled on the grass like a guardian statue.
Airi pulled the pendant hanging around her neck into her palm.
The Core of Aetheria.
A gift from Goddess Aether.
She still did not understand why someone like her—quiet, ordinary, fragile—was chosen to be ruler of a world.
Why me? Why not someone brilliant, confident, or someone who already understands leadership?
She stared at the glowing pendant, hands trembling.
Maybe… maybe she was still the same scared girl from her old world.
The same girl who hid behind Haruto every time she felt overwhelmed.
The same girl who didn't know how to speak up even when she wanted to.
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
"I still do not understand why she chose me…"
Haruto heard it.
He always did.
But he didn't move.
He never interfered when Airi was trying to untangle her thoughts.
He only stood close enough to remind her she wasn't alone.
Just then, soft footsteps echoed through the garden.
Not loud.
Not rushed.
Silent and respectful.
Airi turned.
From the silver archway, dark elves entered. Tall figures wrapped in deep violet cloaks, pale lavender skin shimmering under the garden lights. Silver eyes reflected the ethereal glow like mirrors of moonlight. Their long ebony hair flowed down their backs like ink trailing in water.
They didn't appear like suspicious shadows.
They walked like warriors approaching the one they had chosen to follow.
At the front was a man whose presence seemed to ripple the air itself.
Lumeris.
Leader of the dark elf tribe.
His white hair fell loosely around his shoulders, a contrast to the deep violet markings that ran along his cheekbones. His every movement held quiet power, each step flowing with calm conviction.
The moment he crossed into the inner garden, he placed one knee on the ground and bowed his head.
The dark elves followed, kneeling without hesitation.
Their voices resonated, deep and unified.
"Your Highness, we have gathered as requested."
Airi's heart warmed—yet trembled at the same time.
These people were not originally hers.
They were refugees.
Hunted.
Driven from their homeland.
And she—just a girl who once struggled to raise her hand in class—had told them they could stay. That they didn't have to live in fear anymore.
"No need to bow so much," Airi said, flustered, waving her hands. "We are family now."
A ripple of soft laughter moved through the group—warm, genuine.
Lumeris lifted his gaze.
His silver eyes softened.
"You gave us what no kingdom, no nation, no ruler ever offered us. A home."
Airi blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears from forming.
She wasn't supposed to be emotional.
Not in front of everyone.
She was the Eternal Princess, ruler of Aetheria.
But she was also a twelve-year-old girl who had spent most of her life struggling to believe she mattered.
Haruto stepped beside her, voice firm yet strangely gentle.
"She gets embarrassed when you praise her too much. Take it slow."
Airi puffed her cheeks.
"Onii Chan. You make it sound like I am five."
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"You cry like you are five."
Airi gasped.
"Haruto!"
He didn't flinch.
He simply rested his hand on her head.
"You are my little sister. That has never changed."
The dark elves exchanged curious glances. Their leader had always been stoic… yet here he was, accepting playful bickering like a parent watching his children.
Lumeris lowered his head once more.
"We wish to reaffirm our loyalty. To Aetheria. And to you, Eternal Princess."
The dark elves lowered further, cloaks flowing like raven wings.
But Haruto did not kneel.
He stepped in front of Airi.
His posture was straight, shoulders squared.
If Airi was the moonlight… Haruto was the blade that cut through the darkness.
"One thing," Haruto said, eyes sharp. "You kneel to Airi. Not to me."
Lumeris raised his head slightly, expression solemn.
"You protected our tribe from the Shadow Wyvern. You defeated a monster that even our strongest warriors could not face."
A whisper spread through the elves.
"Prince of Death…"
Airi blinked.
"Prince of what?"
Haruto's jaw clenched.
"It is not a title I asked for."
"Titles are not given because someone desires them," Lumeris replied. "They are given because they are earned. You do not command fear. Fear follows you naturally."
Haruto didn't answer.
He had no interest in ruling.
No interest in being feared.
He only cared about Airi.
About her safety.
About her smile.
Airi stepped forward, swallowing her nervousness.
"Everyone, please rise."
The elves obeyed.
"From today onward," she continued, voice quiet yet resolute, "we build Aetheria together. Not as ruler and subjects. But as people who chose to believe in each other."
Lumeris placed a hand over his heart.
"Aetheria stands with you. Always."
The dark elves echoed.
"Aetheria stands."
Airi exhaled slowly, letting the warmth settle in her chest.
She looked at each face—hopeful, loyal, trusting—and something changed inside her.
She finally saw a future.
"Lumeris," she said softly, "may I ask something?"
"Ask anything, Your Highness."
"When I helped your tribe, why did you trust a stranger like me so easily?"
Lumeris stepped forward, kneeling once more.
"That day, you held out your hand to us. Not from above, but from beside us. No ruler has ever looked at us like that."
"You did not demand loyalty," he whispered. "You offered warmth."
Airi's throat tightened.
Haruto placed a hand on her shoulder.
She steadied her voice.
"Then… let us walk this path together."
Lumeris took her hand.
"As long as Aetheria exists, we will follow you."
Frost rose, towering, eyes glowing.
"She is not merely your princess."
Airi's eyes widened.
"She is hope itself."
Airi shook her head.
"No… I am not—"
"Yes," Haruto said quietly. "You are."
He looked at her as if she were the only light in the world.
"You don't realize it yet. But everyone here isn't following your power. They are following your heart."
Airi's tears slid down her cheeks.
This time, she didn't wipe them away.
"I will protect Aetheria. I will protect this home. I will protect all of you."
Lumeris bowed deeply.
"And we will protect you with our lives."
The dark elves placed their palms over their hearts.
"One heart. One home. One Aetheria."
Airi smiled.
Haruto smiled too.
Because for the first time…
Airi didn't feel like she was borrowing strength from others.
She felt like she had her own.
This world didn't choose her by mistake.
She earned it.
She belonged h—
— ELSEWHERE
Far from Aetheria, inside the heart of the Dominion Empire…
Massive divine pillars formed a circle around a ritual chamber.
Sacred runes glowed like molten gold. Priests in pure white robes knelt, chanting in harmony.
"Oh great God of Dominion—
grant us saviors from beyond the veil."
The floor ruptured into a blinding light.
A summoning circle activated.
Seven silhouettes appeared—confused, panicking, still in their school uniforms.
A boy dropped his phone.
A girl screamed.
Someone fell on the floor, clutching their backpack.
Among them was a familiar face.
Hiroshi Tanaka.
A boy from Airi and Haruto's old world.
Someone who always mocked Airi for being "weird."
Someone who called Haruto a "dark creep."
He stumbled forward, terrified.
"W… where are we…? What is this…?!"
The emperor stepped from his throne, draped in gold armor, smiling with manufactured warmth.
"Be not afraid, Heroes."
A priest unrolled an ancient prophecy scroll.
"Two beings have descended into the Great Forest.
The Demon Princess of Fateand The Prince of Death.
They will bring ruin to all mankind."
Hiroshi stiffened.
Princess?
Prince of Death?
The emperor placed a divine spear in front of them.
"You seven were chosen to save this world."
Another priest approached Hiroshi specifically.
"You… have potential."
A black crest appeared on Hiroshi's arm, burning into his skin.
He screamed, but the priests smiled.
"You will become the strongest.
The God of Dominion has blessed you."
The emperor leaned closer and whispered:
"Lead them.
Kill the Demon Lords."
The map of Aetheria flickered with red marks.
"Bring us the heads of both of them."
— MEANWHILE, IN AETHERIA
Airi smiled beneath the crystal tree, surrounded by her people.
Haruto stood beside her, calm and silent.
He finally believed—
They were safe.
They had a home.
They had peace.
— BACK IN THE EMPIRE
Hiroshi raised the divine weapon, dark aura crawling up his arm.
"I'll prove I'm not worthless."
His eyes reflected pure resentment.
"I'll kill them myself."
End of Arc 1: The First Steps of Aetheria