Morning came slowly to the palace.
Golden sunlight poured through the towering windows of the Hall of Awakening, illuminating the floating tomes and glowing runes that decorated the vast chamber.
Kai had barely slept.
The events of the previous night kept replaying in his mind the strange voice from the shadows, the feeling of being watched, and most of all the words that echoed inside him like a prophecy.
The Reincarnated Sovereign… is awake.
He clenched his hand slowly.
The violet mark flickered again.
A soft warmth spread through his arm, like magic recognizing him as its master.
Yet something else stirred in his chest too.
A certain face.
Those violet eyes.
That mysterious woman.
Just as the thought crossed his mind
"You're thinking too loudly."
Kai nearly jumped.
He turned quickly.
She stood a few steps behind him, leaning casually against one of the tall pillars. Morning light wrapped around her figure, giving her an almost unreal beauty.
Her long dark hair shimmered like silk, and her violet eyes held a quiet amusement.
"You really need to stop appearing like that," Kai said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Why?" she asked with a faint smile. "Does my presence make you nervous?"
Kai hesitated.
"Maybe."
Her smile widened slightly.
Interesting.
She pushed herself away from the pillar and walked toward him slowly.
Each step echoed softly in the vast hall.
"Your power awakened faster than expected," she said. "That means your training must accelerate as well."
Kai crossed his arms.
"I figured."
She stopped in front of him.
Closer than before.
Close enough that he could notice the faint scent of jasmine again.
"You did well yesterday," she said quietly.
Kai felt oddly proud hearing that.
"Thanks… I guess."
But then he frowned.
"Wait. You still haven't told me something important."
She raised an eyebrow.
"What is that?"
"Your name."
For a moment she was silent.
Then she laughed softly.
"You're right. That was rude of me."
She placed a hand gently over her chest.
"My name is Lyra."
Kai repeated it quietly.
"Lyra…"
The name felt strangely familiar.
As if he had heard it somewhere long ago.
But before he could ask more, Lyra suddenly extended her hand.
"Come."
Kai blinked.
"Where?"
"Your next lesson."
Before he could react, she grabbed his wrist.
A flash of violet light filled the hall.
The world twisted.
Wind rushed past Kai's ears.
And in the next moment
They stood somewhere completely different.
Kai stared in shock.
They were standing on the edge of a massive cliff overlooking an endless forest that shimmered with magical energy.
Floating islands drifted slowly in the sky.
Crystal rivers glowed faintly below.
"This…" Kai whispered.
"This place is incredible."
Lyra watched his reaction quietly.
"This is the Sanctuary of Arcanis."
"Only those connected to ancient magic can enter here."
Kai slowly turned towards her.
"So you brought me here because of the Sovereign power?"
Lyra nodded.
"Partly."
Then she stepped closer.
"But also because this place reacts to emotions."
Kai frowned.
"Emotions?"
Before she could answer
The ground beneath them began glowing.
A circle of ancient runes appeared around Kai's feet.
The violet mark on his hand suddenly flared.
Pain shot through his arm.
"Kai!"
Lyra grabbed him quickly.
The moment her hand touched his
The runes exploded with light.
Violet energy surged upward like a storm.
Wind whipped through the sanctuary.
Floating islands trembled.
Kai gasped as power poured through his body.
But something strange happened.
Instead of losing control
The power began to stabilize.
Because Lyra was holding his hand.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment the world seemed to stop.
The magic swirling around them slowly calmed.
Lyra looked genuinely surprised.
"…Impossible."
Kai breathed heavily.
"What… what just happened?"
Lyra didn't answer immediately.
She looked down at their hands.
Still holding each other.
Then back at him.
"The Sovereign's power… reacted to me."
Kai blinked.
"And that's bad?"
Lyra shook her head slowly.
"No."
Her voice softened.
"It means something very rare."
Kai tilted his head.
"What?"
Lyra hesitated.
Then she said quietly:
"It means our magic is compatible."
Kai felt his face heat slightly.
"That sounds… important."
Lyra suddenly realized she was still holding his hand and quickly stepped back.
"Focus," she said, clearing her throat.
"We are here to train."
Kai smirked slightly.
"Right."
But before training could begin
A deep roar echoed through the forest below.
Both of them froze.
Lyra's expression changed instantly.
Serious.
"That's not good."
The trees below began shaking violently.
Something massive was moving toward them.
Kai squinted into the distance.
"Uh… Lyra?"
"Yes?"
"What exactly lives in this sanctuary?"
Her answer came slowly.
"Creatures born from pure magic."
The ground trembled again.
A gigantic shadow rose above the forest.
Then a massive winged creature burst into the sky.
Golden scales.
Burning eyes.
And wings large enough to darken the sun.
Kai stared in disbelief.
"Is that a dragon?"
Lyra sighed.
"Yes."
The dragon's eyes locked onto Kai.
And then it roared.
The sound shook the entire sanctuary.
Kai felt the Sovereign mark burn hotter than ever before.
Lyra's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Kai…"
"Yes?"
"That dragon…"
"…is reacting to your power."
The dragon began flying toward them.
Fast.
Very fast.
Kai swallowed.
"So what do we do?"
Lyra slowly drew a glowing blade of magic.
"We fight."
Then she glanced at him.
"But this time…"
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"You fight with me."
The dragon roared again as it descended toward them.
And the violet mark on Kai's hand burst into brilliant light.
The dragon's shadow covered the entire cliff.
Kai prepared himself to fight.
But suddenly,
Lyra grabbed his hand again.
And something unbelievable happened.
The violet mark on Kai's palm began glowing brighter.
But so did a mark on Lyra's wrist.
Kai blinked in shock.
"Lyra… your hand…"
Her eyes widened.
"…No."
The marks pulsed together.
Magic surged violently between them.
The dragon suddenly stopped attacking.
It stared at the two glowing marks.
Then it spoke one word.
"Impossible."
Lyra slowly looked at Kai.
Her voice barely a whisper.
"Kai…"
"Our magic…"
"…is bonded."
And far away in the darkness of the world,
Ancient eyes opened.
"The Sovereign has found his Queen."