Legacy of the Fallen Star
Prologue: The Night the Sky Shattered
In the heart of the Shen Family Estate, one of the top 10 families on the continent of Gaia Veris, a storm wasn't brewing in the skies—but within walls of silk, stone, and secrets.
Shen Arin, barely 8 years old, watched from the second-floor railing as the grand gates opened. A luxurious carriage rolled in, guided by spirit beasts, and out stepped a beautiful woman with long silvery hair—his father's new wife. Two little toddlers stumbled behind her, clutching their new toys, laughing as if they'd always belonged.
But not to Arin.
His mother, Lady Lian Aria, stood frozen at the base of the staircase, her eyes locked onto her husband, Shen Kael, as he stepped down with an arm around the woman.
"Send the boy to his room," Kael said softly. Too softly.
"Arin," his mother's voice was ice. "Go."
He didn't argue. Not because he was obedient—but because he had never seen his mother look like this.
That Night
Midnight. The estate slept. Arin couldn't.
The door creaked open.
"Mother...?"
She stepped in, cloaked in shadows. In her hand—a stone locket, pulsing dimly with blue and silver light.
"This is yours now. Never let anyone take it."
As she placed it in his hand, the stone flared with blinding light.
"W-What is this?" Arin gasped.
Her eyes widened in shock. "It... chose you."
Suddenly, the light extinguished. Silence.
He wore the pendant without another word.
The Next Morning
Screams.
Guards running. Maids crying.
His mother... was dead.
In his room.
"She committed suicide," someone whispered.
But Arin saw the truth.
Her wrists bore clean knife cuts, covered quickly. Hidden truths. Hidden blood.
His world shattered.
When Kael stepped in, blank-faced, Arin's spirit broke.
"You killed her!" the boy screamed.
With rage boiling inside, the pendant glowed faintly—and a metal knife flew from the shelf, piercing toward Kael.
Kael dodged it by a breath, reaching toward him. "Arin, calm—"
A second knife rose. This time aimed at the small figure in the doorway—his stepsister.
Arin didn't see her.
He only saw blood. Screams. P