Rio stood at the edge of the wooden balcony of the cabin, leaning against the intricately carved railings, gazing at the elf Empire that sprawled like a city suspended atop the giant trees of the forest. A cool breeze danced through his white hair, and his white coat shimmered in the faint glow of the sunset peeking through the branches. The elven city was alive—alive with soft laughter, the occasional cries of children, and the gentle footsteps of elfs moving with grace and elegance across rope bridges. Wooden cabins with stained-glass windows, transforming torchlight into a rainbow of colors, gleamed like jewels in the crown of this vast forest. Elderly elves with long, braided hair and eyes full of wisdom conversed calmly, while children ran joyfully across the bridges, oblivious to the storm brewing in the Council Hall.
To Rio, the scene was like a painting from another world. In the Sun Tribe, everyone knew him—the son of William, a boy with white hair and silver eyes, harboring a dangerous secret within. But here among the elves, he was just a stranger, a young dragon they regarded with caution, not for his freezing power, but for his lineage. This anonymity, this temporary freedom from the weight of his identity was soothing. For a moment, he could pretend to be just an ordinary boy, not the embodiment of a force that could freeze the world.
But his mind was restless. His thoughts swirled like a storm—the black letters, William's terrifying words, and secrets that seemed hidden in every glance from his father. He couldn't quell his anger toward this world. The wars, the killings, the cruelty spoken of as if they were part of the land's essence were incomprehensible to him. He came from a world where peace, however fragile, was a value worth fighting for. But here, death and destruction were as commonplace as daily bread, and this contrast crushed his heart.
As Rio drowned in his thoughts, the sound of heavy footsteps on the wooden balcony snapped him back to reality. Elian, in his gleaming black armor that sparkled in the sunset's light, stepped out of the cabin and stood beside Rio. His metal helmet, as always, hid his face, but his fiery red eyes, which seemed to see something deeper, locked onto Rio. For a moment, Elian merely looked at him, then at the suspended elf city, as if weighing something. Then, with a voice kind yet profound, he said:
"Are you alright Master Rio?"
Rio, startled by Elian's presence, looked at him in surprise. His heart skipped a beat, but a faint smile crept onto his lips.
"Yeah… I'm fine."
Elian paused for a moment, as if ensuring Rio was telling the truth. Then he gazed at the vast forest and the suspended cabins, where elfs moved like spirits in the dim sunset light. With a quiet but confident voice, he said:
"You've learned the lesson I taught you well."
Rio looked into Elian's eyes, now gleaming beneath his metal helmet, with surprise. For a moment, he felt a hidden admiration in that gaze—not just as a student, but as someone Elian believed in. A truer smile spread across his lips, and he turned his head toward the city.
"I think… yeah."
A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the whisper of the wind and the distant laughter of elves. Rio leaned against the railing, his fingers tracing the carved wood. Something within him, like a wave he couldn't control, urged him to speak. In a soft voice, laced with doubt that mirrored his expression, he said:
"Elian, can I ask you something?"
Elian, without a moment's hesitation, replied in his kind but respectful tone, "Of course."
Rio paused, his silver eyes fixed on the city, as if afraid to voice his words.
"Between us?"
Elian tilted his head slightly. "If you wish, of course."
Rio took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. His silver eyes now looked weary, burdened by a weight too heavy for a young boy. In a voice that seemed to come from the depths of his heart, he said:
"I don't understand my father Elian. His actions, his plans… sometimes I feel like I don't know him at all. Every time I think I understand him, he does something else that catches me off guard. It's like… he's always one step ahead, and I'm just chasing after him."
Elian fell silent for a moment, as if weighing Rio's words. Then he stepped closer and gently placed his heavy hand on Rio's shoulder. He let out a deep sigh, his breath forming mist in the cold winter air. In a voice blending honesty and wisdom, he said:
"You're right Master Rio. Truth be told, I sometimes don't understand Lord William either. His mind… it's like a world full of shadows. Even for me, who's been by his side for years, I sometimes get lost."
He paused, as if choosing his words carefully.
"But one thing I'm certain of: his family—you, Lady Adrina, Lady Nadia, Lady Maria, Lady Setia—are the only things in this world that truly matter to him. Everything he does, every plan he makes, is in some way to protect you. His methods may be strange, perhaps frightening, but his heart… his heart is always with you."
Rio looked at Elian, his silver eyes now filled with a quiet sorrow. Elian's words were like cold water on the fire of his anxiety, but they couldn't fully extinguish his doubts. He forced a smile, one meant to hide the tremor in his voice.
"Is that so…"
Silence reigned again, heavy and profound, like the forest surrounding them. The sky had turned cloudy, and tiny snowflakes began to fall like small stars. The cold breeze grew stronger, tossing Rio's white hair even more. Elian stared at the sky, as if searching for something in the snowy air. After a moment, he spoke, his voice now slightly more serious:
"Master Rio, may I ask you a question?"
Rio, still lost in his thoughts, quickly nodded.
"Of course Elian."
Elian took a deep breath, his breath forming a white mist in the cold air. His fiery red eyes locked onto Rio, and there was something in that gaze—not just curiosity, but a deep challenge.
"Why didn't you fight Lady Nadia? You could have fought. Maybe you couldn't have defeated her, maybe you couldn't even scratch her, but you could have resisted. Why didn't you choose to fight? Why?"
The question struck Rio like an arrow to the heart. For a moment, his breath caught, and his silver eyes locked onto Elian's. He had expected any question but this. The memory of that day, when Nadia stood before him with blazing eyes, reopened like a fresh wound in his mind. Rio turned toward Elian, looking up at his hidden face, and for a moment, something inside him broke—not from anger, but from a truth he couldn't hide.
In a voice now filled with emotion but still calm, he said:
"If you don't know the answer to that question, Elian, it means you still haven't understood me either."
Rio then lowered his head, a bitter smile on his lips. Without another word, he slowly walked past Elian and returned to the cabin, closing the door behind him, leaving Elian alone on the balcony under the falling snow. Elian stared at the elven city, his hands clenching into fists, as if wrestling with the truth Rio had shown him. Snow settled on his black armor, and for the first time, he felt that perhaps this young boy with a frozen heart understood something he never could.
Hours later, as the sun set and the sky darkened, the Calimore family, along with Selria, left their cabin. The snow had intensified, and white flakes blanketed the vast forest like a soft curtain. They crossed the suspended elven city on swaying rope bridges that moved gently in the cold breeze. Magical torches floating in stone bowls illuminated the path, casting dancing shadows of the elves on the carved wooden bridges. The city was alive at night; the sound of small bells hanging from the bridges mingled with the soft singing of elves and the whisper of the wind. Wooden cabins with stained-glass windows glowed like lanterns in the darkness.
Rio, his white coat now speckled with snow, looked around in wonder. The giant trees, with trunks stretching from the earth to the sky, stood like ancient guardians encircling the city. Some trees were so massive that multiple cabins and even small markets were built on their branches. Elves with long hair and delicate clothing moved softly and silently across the bridges, occasionally glancing at the Calimore family with curiosity. To Rio, this city was like a dream—both magical and mysterious, a city that seemed to hide ancient secrets in its shadows.
Selria, her golden armor gleaming in the torchlight, led them toward an ancient, massive tree. Unlike the others, this tree had a distinct appearance. Its trunk was covered in strange, intricate carvings—depictions of mythical creatures, stars, and lines that seemed to shout an ancient language. Rio stared at them but couldn't decipher their meaning. Contrary to expectation, there was nothing regal or grandiose about this tree. The house of Talandril, nestled among its massive branches, was simple and ordinary—a wooden cabin with a moss-covered roof and small windows emitting a warm glow. This simplicity, in contrast to the grandeur of the Council Hall, surprised Rio.
The snow was now so heavy it obscured visibility, and the Calimore family quickly entered the cabin. Inside, it was warm and cozy, with the scent of burning wood and dried herbs lingering in the air. The walls were adorned with handwoven elven tapestries, and glowing white crystals, seemingly grown from the tree's wood, cast a soft light over the space. But what shocked Rio was the unexpected presence of Kato and Ayhan, seated at the dining table.
Rio froze upon seeing them, his silver eyes widening in surprise. Kato, with closed eyes and a cold expression, seemed lost in his own world. Ayhan, however, lit up for a moment upon seeing Nadia, his eyes sparkling like stars in the night. But unlike usual, he quickly looked down, avoiding direct eye contact, as if afraid his feelings cause trouble. William, as always, showed no reaction, his face as still as stone, though his red eyes briefly fixed on Kato.
Talandril approached from the far end of the cabin with a warm smile. His simple dark green robe swayed with his movements, and his golden hair shimmered in the crystal light. He shook William's hand and said respectfully:
"Lord William, I'm glad you accepted my invitation."
As they walked toward the table, Rio suddenly felt a heavy gaze upon him. He turned and met Selria's emerald green eyes. But this time, her look was different—not just curious or surprised, but filled with deep, terrifying doubt. Her face was pale, and her eyes seemed to search for something in Rio, something that frightened her. Her lips trembled for a moment, as if she wanted to speak, but she remained silent. Rio's heart raced, but as always, he chose to ignore the gaze. He didn't know Selria and couldn't explain her strange behavior. With cautious steps, he passed her and sat on a wooden chair across from Ayhan.
Elian who had been with them until that moment, left the cabin with Selria. William, in a calm but firm voice, said that Elian would dine elsewhere with Selria. Rio, who treated his father's words like law, nodded and stared ahead. Ayhan, with a friendly smile, waved and said:
"Good to see you again Rio."
Rio, now slightly eager, responded with a shy expression, "Hi."
William pulled out the chair across from Kato and sat with a calculated movement. In a quiet but meaningful voice, he said:
"I didn't think you'd want to stay here."
Kato opened his eyes, a mocking smile curling his lips.
"You think too much."
Ayhan, startled by the tone, quickly said with a pale face, "Father!"
But William raised his hand and, in a tone unshaken by anything, said:
"Your father and I have our own way of talking. You kids don't need to get involved."
Ayhan, now surprised, nodded in agreement. But what shocked him most was the silence of William's children. Adrina, Nadia, and Rio all remained composed, as if they had absolute trust in William. This discipline, this silent loyalty, was both admirable and mysterious to Ayhan. He was lost in these thoughts when Nadia, with an expressionless face, sat beside him. Ayhan's heart raced, and in a flurry of excitement, he looked away, as if afraid Nadia would see the spark in his eyes.
Rio however looked around in awe. The cabin's ceiling was illuminated by glowing white crystals that seemed to have grown from the tree's wood, like stars trapped in the timber. Their light was soft and magical, casting gentle shadows on the wooden walls. But Rio's amazement peaked when living roots suddenly emerged from the floor and ceiling. These roots, like thick, intelligent ropes, delicately placed plates and food prepared by Talandril on the table. The scene was so wondrous and magical that everyone, even Kato, stared in silence at the moving roots.
William, in a soft but curious voice, said:
"I'd heard the current elven emperor was much like the first, but I didn't think you'd even share similar powers."
Talandril, with a smile both humble and mysterious, approached the table. He held two plates and sat at the head. Placing the plates down, he said quietly:
"Truthfully, I see my abilities as a blessing. Thanks to them, I've been able to serve my people well."
A brief silence fell, and everyone began eating. The meal included roasted lamb and vegetable soup. For William and Kato, the presence of lamb was surprising. Kato, in a cold voice, said:
"I thought white elves didn't eat meat."
Talandril, sipping his soup, replied calmly:
"You're right, white elves don't eat meat. But dark elves often live by hunting, so it's not unusual."
At that moment, Rio, who had chosen vegetable soup over meat, said eagerly but softly:
"This soup is amazing. The chef must be a genius."
Everyone was surprised by Rio's voice, and Talandril laughed so heartily that his eyes sparkled. In a kind tone, he said:
"No one's ever complimented me like that. I'm glad you enjoyed it, young man."
Rio, blushing with embarrassment, lowered his head. But Talandril, in a softer voice, said:
"What's your name, young man?"
Rio, with a trembling voice, answered, "Rio."
Talandril, now slightly suspicious, asked in a questioning tone:
"Could you look at me?"
Rio raised his head, and his silver eyes met Talandril's green gaze. For a moment, Talandril's expression changed, like someone who had uncovered a secret. He gently placed his wooden spoon on the bowl and, in a heavier voice, said:
"Lord William, now that I look at your son, he bears a striking resemblance to a dragon I saw years ago. What was his name?"
He thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, his name was Rio too. Rio Asteroid!"
At the sound of that name, the air seemed to freeze. Nadia, who had been silent and indifferent until then, suddenly looked up. Her red eyes were filled with shock, and in a trembling voice, she said:
"You know my uncle?"
Talandril clasped his fingers together, a mysterious smile on his lips—a smile that seemed to hide more than a simple acquaintance. In a calm but meaningful voice, he said:
"So that man is related to you? Yes, I'm quite familiar with Rio Asteroid."
The air in the cabin grew heavy, like a storm approaching. William, who had been calm until then, gently placed his spoon on the table, his red eyes narrowing for a moment. Kato, with a cold gaze, stared at Talandril, as if trying to read his thoughts. Rio felt his heart race—not just from hearing his uncle's name, but from the mysterious look Talandril gave him, as if seeing him not as a boy but as a living secret. The shadows of the white crystals on the walls seemed to darken, and Talandril's simple cabin now felt like the stage of a dangerous game.