Arios was just finishing tucking his little brother Kei into bed when, suddenly, a dark shadow emerged from nowhere in front of him.
"That child… belongs to me," the shadow said in a sinister voice that echoed like a distorted reverberation against the walls of the room.
Before Arios could react, the shadow unleashed an invisible blast of energy that slammed him against one of the walls. The impact was brutal; Arios spat blood as he collapsed to the floor, his body trembling with pain. However, he didn't stay down for long. With determination, he staggered to his feet and lunged toward the dark entity, attempting to stop it.
But all his efforts seemed futile. The shadow extended a hand shrouded in darkness, and an invisible force field immobilized Arios where he stood. His muscles tensed to their limit, but he couldn't move a single finger. It was as if invisible chains had completely restrained him.
Kei, awakened by the noise, looked on in confusion and fear from his bed. His trembling little voice broke the silence:
"B- Brother… What's happening?"
Arios tried to sound calm despite the terror gripping his heart.
"It's okay, everything will be fine," he responded, though his voice betrayed the growing anguish within him.
Little Kei began to float slowly into the air, pulled toward the shadow by an unknown force. His blue eyes were filled with panic as he looked at Arios, seeking comfort amidst the chaos.
"Help me, brother!" Kei screamed desperately, his voice echoing like a heart-wrenching cry in the icy air.
His small hands reached out toward Arios as he was dragged into the shadow, which enveloped him like an impenetrable cloak. His tear-filled blue eyes shimmered with a mix of terror and confusion. Kei's face was pale, his cheeks streaked with wet trails of anguish, and his ragged breathing turned into tiny clouds of vapor in the cold atmosphere.
"No! Kei!" Arios shouted, struggling desperately against the invisible pressure that held him captive. But his efforts were in vain. The shadow, now aware of the young man's resistance, decided to act quickly.
Before vanishing with Kei, the shadow left a cruel message, its voice reverberating in every corner of the room:
"If you want to see him again, come to Kanasfort. But hurry… or there will be nothing left of him."
With an evil, thunderous laugh, the shadow disappeared in a swirl of darkness, taking little Kei with it. The boy's heart-wrenching scream echoed in Arios's mind, marking him with guilt and despair.
When the echoes of the abduction finally faded, Arios collapsed to his knees, exhausted. His body gave out under the weight of the superhuman effort he had made to resist the shadow's power. The last images of Kei being torn from his arms continued to torment him. Who was that entity? And what is Kanasfort? he wondered, feeling the world spin around him before losing consciousness.
When he regained consciousness, Arios found himself surrounded by palace soldiers and his father, Balniac. The latter paced back and forth, visibly agitated, his brusque gestures reflecting his frustration and concern.
Noticing that Arios was coming to, Balniac approached quickly.
"Where is your brother? What happened here?" he asked urgently, locking eyes with Arios.
With tears in his eyes and a trembling voice, Arios replied:
"It took him… Some kind of shadow-specter… I couldn't do anything…"
The weight of guilt crushed him. He had failed to protect Kei, something he would never forgive himself for. Clenching his fists tightly, his knuckles white from the pressure, he struggled to hold back his sobs.
Balniac, instead of offering comfort, let his frustration spill out in the form of reproaches:
"How could you let this happen?! It's your responsibility to look after him! You're the elder one!"
The words struck Arios deeply, adding to the weight of guilt he already carried. Instead of responding, he clenched his jaw and stared at the ground, struggling to keep his emotions in check. He knew arguing wouldn't bring Kei back, but the tension between father and son only grew thicker in the air.
The soldiers shifted uncomfortably, aware that any misstep might worsen the situation. Meanwhile, Arios made an unshakable decision in his heart: he would find Kei, no matter the cost.
After a tense moment, Queen Eleonor arrived.
Her presence eased the atmosphere like a cool breeze on a stifling day. Arios, calmer now though still burdened by guilt, offered another apology:
"I'm sorry… I truly am sorry," he said softly but with sincerity.
Balniac, seeing the genuine sorrow in his son's eyes, stepped forward and embraced him tightly.
"It's not your fault, my son. Forgive me for how I acted earlier," the king replied, his voice heavy with regret and paternal love.
The embrace was brief but meaningful—a gesture that sealed their reconciliation. Then Balniac broke the silence with an urgent question:
"Arios, did the entity say anything else? Any clue about where they took Kei?"
Arios nodded slowly, recalling the words that echoed ominously in his mind.
"I only managed to hear… Kanasfort."
"Kanasfort!" Balniac exclaimed, his face paling instantly. His body visibly stiffened, as if the name itself were poison.
Before he could continue, Andros interrupted, his deep voice slicing through the tension:
"That's the Fortress of Demons," he declared gravely, glancing at the king and then at Arios. "A cursed place where no human has survived for long."
Arios felt the emotions from his past life surge back with overwhelming force. The helplessness that had once consumed him as Yuomo now threatened to overwhelm his heart again. Still, wiping away his tears with the back of his hand, he stood up resolutely.
"I'll go… I have to go find my brother," he said firmly, his voice trembling yet filled with determination. "Besides, it's time I became an adventurer anyway."
Balniac shook his head quickly, concern etched into every line of his face.
"It's impossible! Even I, as a high-ranking adventurer, would fear stepping foot in such a place. It's far too dangerous!"
Andros interjected again, crossing his arms:
"It might be a trap. The way that entity gave Arios that information seems calculated to lure him to his doom."
But Arios didn't waver. His gaze remained steady, unwavering.
"Trap or not, I must save my little brother. I can't just sit here knowing Kei is in danger."
The king tried to protest, but Arios found the courage to face him directly:
"Father, I'm responsible for what happened to Kei. That's why I need to be the one to save him. Besides… you can't abandon the kingdom. If you leave, other kingdoms will exploit our instability to attack us."
Balniac fell silent for a moment, wrestling with his emotions. He wanted to protect his eldest son as much as he wanted to rescue his youngest, but he knew Arios was right. Finally, he looked to Eleonor, seeking guidance.
The queen, her heart heavy yet proud of Arios's bravery, nodded slowly.
"He's right, Balniac," Eleonor said softly but firmly, looking at her husband with eyes filled with both concern and determination. "As much as it pains us, our eldest son, Arios, must go. He is now an adult under the laws that govern us, and perhaps this is the opportunity for him to fulfill his goal of becoming a Double S-Class adventurer."
Eleonor paused, bringing a hand to her chest as she struggled to steady her emotions. She knew these words were not only difficult to say but also to accept. Her voice trembled slightly as she continued:
"It hurts me just as much as it does you… I don't want to lose him, but I see in his eyes a great determination. He's resolved to save Kei, and we cannot stop him without taking away something essential: his will."
Then, turning toward Arios, she looked at him with a mix of tenderness and sadness. Her blue eyes reflected the immense love she felt for both her sons, as well as the fear of the unknown.
"Please, my son… You must be careful. Both you and Kei are important to us. Promise me you'll do everything in your power to return alive," she pleaded, extending a trembling hand toward him.
Arios nodded firmly, though his own eyes glistened with unshed tears. He knew his mother was right, but he also understood the weight of the responsibility he was taking on.
Finally, Eleonor turned to Balniac, placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him.
"And you, my love," she said, looking directly into his eyes, "as king, you must stay here to protect the kingdom. If you abandon your post at a time like this, other kingdoms will exploit our vulnerability. Our people need you now more than ever."
Balniac clenched his fists, wrestling with the internal conflict consuming him. He wanted to protect his children with every fiber of his being, but he knew Eleonor was right. His duty as king was to remain in Bardios, leading and defending the realm against any external threat.
With a deep sigh, he nodded slowly.
"Very well…" he murmured, his voice heavy with resignation. "Arios, go. But swear to me that you'll return with Kei. Swear to me that you'll do everything in your power to keep both of you safe."
Arios lifted his head, meeting his father's gaze with renewed determination.
"I swear, Father. I'll return with Kei, no matter the cost."
His sister Claris stood nearby, quietly observing from a corner. Though she tried to hide it, she was a little upset. She watched as her parents focused exclusively on Kei and Arios, almost completely ignoring her presence.
"Maybe I don't matter as much as they do," Claris thought, feeling a pang of jealousy and loneliness begin to grow in her chest. She knew Kei was young and helpless, and that Arios now bore the responsibility of rescuing him, but she couldn't help feeling pushed aside, as if her achievements and efforts were never enough to capture her parents' attention.
However, instead of saying anything, she simply pressed her lips together and averted her gaze. She didn't want to seem selfish or immature, especially at such a delicate moment. But the frustration remained, latent, like a shadow she couldn't dispel.
Finally, unable to bear the oppressive feeling any longer, Claris turned around and silently left the room. Her steps were light, almost imperceptible, as she walked through the long castle corridors. The faint echo of her boots barely grazed the carpeted floor, and her lilac hair swayed behind her, catching the dim glow of the hanging lamps that weakly illuminated the path. She moved stealthily, like a fleeting shadow, making sure not to make a sound as she closed the door behind her.
Once out of her parents' sight, she allowed herself to exhale a heavy sigh, releasing some of the frustration she had been holding in. Her face, once tense, now revealed a mix of relief and something darker: a spark of ambition.
"Perhaps this can work in my favor," Claris thought, crossing her arms as she walked. A subtle, almost imperceptible smile began to form on her lips as she considered the possibilities. "If Arios and Kei don't return… I'll have all the attention I've always wanted. I could become the future sovereign of this kingdom—and even another if I marry, as the only daughter."
The idea, though unsettling, was tempting. Since childhood, she'd felt that her achievements and efforts were overshadowed by Arios's carefree personality and Kei's adorable innocence. Now, with both of them temporarily—or perhaps permanently—out of the picture, depending on how events unfolded, she saw a clear opportunity.
Claris shook her head slightly, as if trying to shake off those harsh thoughts, but she knew they had already taken root in her mind. She wasn't an evil person, but neither could she ignore what she felt: a mixture of jealousy, resentment, and a deep desire for validation.
"No matter what happens, I need to be prepared," she told herself, straightening her back and regaining her usual composure. "Fate always has unexpected ways of rewarding those who are ready to seize them."
With that resolve, Claris continued walking through the castle halls, leaving behind any trace of vulnerability. Her mind was already busy plotting and analyzing how she might use this situation to her advantage.
Soon, Arios began preparing for his journey. He donned a blue suit made of a special ensemble designed to offer magical protection against hostile attacks. The fabric shimmered faintly under the light, indicating the enchantments woven into it. A long, elegant cape completed the outfit, flowing softly with the wind as he walked toward his horse.
The animal was already prepared, equipped with supplies and tools necessary for the long journey ahead. Arios mounted with determination, adjusting the reins in his hands. For a moment, he glanced back, seeing his family gathered: his mother with unshed tears, his father with a mix of pride and worry, and Andros watching him with a stoic expression.
"I'll return… with Kei," Arios promised, his voice firm despite the whirlwind of emotions within him.
With that, he spurred his horse and galloped away, leaving the castle behind and heading into the unknown. The road to Kanasfort would be long and fraught with danger, but Arios knew there was no other choice. His brother depended on him, and this time, he wouldn't fail.
Without further delay, Arios set off at full speed, riding away from the main kingdom of Bardios.
As he rode through open fields and roads flanked by towering trees, his mind raced as fast as his horse. He recalled his father's words before departing:
"You must travel south, a day's journey from here. Seek out the adventurer's guild; there you'll find someone who can aid you on your quest. Reaching Kanasfort, that den of demons, will be difficult not only because of the demons themselves but also because you'll have to cross enemy territories. Son, you must grow stronger along the way. Otherwise, you won't stand a chance… and I don't want to lose you too," Balniac had said, embracing him tightly.
Arios had firmly promised to return with Kei, safe and sound. But now, as he rode under the fading light of dusk, his mind filled with questions. Why had the demons kidnapped Kei? His little brother was innocent, small, and defenseless. He had no special powers, not even the blessing of Ravada, which supposedly Arios himself possessed. Something didn't add up.
Balniac, back at the castle, was asking himself the same question, though he only voiced it in a worried murmur:
"Why? My son Kei has nothing special… Not like Arios, who supposedly carries the blessing of our goddess. What could those demons be plotting?"
In another plane of existence, Ravada was visibly tense. Kao, ever attentive, noticed her discomfort and approached cautiously.
"Lady Ravada, why are you so tense?" he asked with genuine concern.
She glanced at him briefly before responding:
"I'm observing the mortal world, Kao. I don't understand how this could have happened. The demons kidnapped Kei… but that child has no powers or anything special that would justify their actions. Is it a trap? Perhaps what they truly want is Arios," she reflected aloud.
"It's possible," Kao responded thoughtfully. "But something doesn't fit, my lady. Ever since we brought Yuomo into this world, everything has been unusual. Even his death was strange. And another thing—why is Yuomo's killer also in this world? What does all of this mean?" Kao questioned, seeking answers from his goddess.
Ravada fell silent for a moment. Her eyes gleamed with worry as she processed her servant's words.
"This wasn't part of the plan," she finally said, her voice heavy with seriousness. "Someone is pulling the strings of fate in an unexpected way. Kao, as my most trusted servant, I need you to investigate further. In the meantime…" She paused, thoughtful. "…I'll contact Arios. He needs to know what he's facing."
Kao nodded with determination and vanished quickly, leaving her lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Arios continued riding through a dark forest. The moon barely filtered through the twisted branches of the trees, casting dancing shadows on the ground covered in dry leaves. The air was thick with humidity, and the occasional sound of a nocturnal animal broke the oppressive silence.
Suddenly, something tripped the horse with brutal force. The animal neighed in pain and terror before collapsing to the ground, throwing Arios several meters forward. He rolled across the uneven terrain, slamming into a large rock and feeling the impact reverberate through every muscle in his body. Barely able to move, he heard heavy footsteps slowly approaching from the shadows.
Dark voices echoed in the air, dripping with malice and hunger:
"The food has arrived…"