Kael Lanpar's POV
I could feel the fatigue from running downhill toward the capital for so long. All my thoughts were focused on stopping something terrible from happening. Now, there was no one left capable of halting the power of who I used to be… and who I am now.
The sound of explosions and screams only fueled the flame of my Astral magic, strengthening it with every step, giving me more momentum as the wind element coursed through my body.
I had learned this ability from Alfin: Gale Step, the power of the god of wind. Now that I think about it… my magic feeds off my rage, my courage… and the bravery of every moment I've lived.
"Right," I whispered, inhaling deeply. "I better pick up the pace."
If I didn't —I thought, eyes fixed on the gates of Luzarion ahead— things would only get worse… and I wouldn't be able to help anyone.
What I was about to do wasn't out of weakness. Helping others is a sign of strength and power. It's something all kings once knew, and something I myself had come to understand: life isn't just about oneself, but about looking beyond what our minds try to hide from us.
"Shit…" I muttered.
In the distance, I could see the bodies of the sentinel guards—charred, lifeless. I couldn't help them… but I could avenge them.
I needed to put on my hood. If this was a real revolution, the blood of the royal family would be the first to spill—being exposed would only bring more problems than solutions. Weighing my options, there weren't many… but they were enough.
I didn't yet have complete mastery over elemental skills, but that had never been a problem for me.
"Better safe than sorry," I murmured, pulling the hidden dagger from my waist.
"Bingo," I said.
There were a few horses nearby. That would help me conserve both mana and stamina.
Without wasting time, I grabbed one of their reins, leapt, and landed firmly on the saddle, ready for action.
"Hyah!" I shouted, giving the horse a light tap to move forward.
We crossed through the gates, and what I saw froze my blood. A horrifying scene unfolded before me: bodies of innocent people lay everywhere—victims of the crossfire between both sides.
Right ahead, a figure in a rebel cloak and insignia stood amidst the chaos. That only confirmed my suspicions: those bastards were attacking again.
"This time, you won't get away from me," I snarled.
I jumped backward, letting the horse continue ahead. Mid-air, I took advantage of the rebel's distraction to throw my dagger. It flew with precision... straight to the target.
"Arghaaa!" he cried out, clutching his leg as he stared at me with fury.
"Damn brat…! What do you think you are, a hero?" he roared. "I'm going to—!"
Too bad he couldn't finish that sentence. Would've been interesting to hear what he had to say —I thought as I lowered my hand and watched a pillar of stone pierce through his chest.
I know I once said killing isn't the solution to everything—and especially not without mercy—but he tried to harm an innocent family. I can't forgive that. I just hope he finds redemption… somehow.
"Are you okay?" I asked, turning to a woman holding her two children. "You need to get to—"
"Aren't you… aren't you too young to be here…?" she interrupted, still shaking.
"Yes, I am," I replied with a tense smile. "But right now, age doesn't matter. We're all fighting to survive."
She nodded, but then her eyes widened. In their reflection, I saw an arrow speeding toward me. I spun in the air and caught it with my hand before hitting the ground, my eyes locked on the bastard who had attacked me.
"Seek refuge at the Swordsman Academy," I told them quickly.
"Wind Step," I whispered, and the wind magic once again surged through my body. I managed to catch a glimpse of the family fleeing before turning to face my new opponent.
"Now it's my turn to beat up this idiot," I muttered, cracking my knuckles and rushing forward at full speed.
With each step, I dodged those fleeing or fighting with agility, helping royal soldiers and mages along the way with my lightning claws, disabling or eliminating enemies with precision.
BOOM!
A brutal explosion sent me flying before I could reach the archer. I slammed into a wall.
"Earth Pillar," I cast mentally, and my magic stopped me midair just in time.
"Agh... damn, that hurt!" I groaned, rubbing my back. "That's what I get for not mastering other elemental variants yet."
When I looked up, I saw shining figures in the center of the market.
They were riders.
They rode steeds made of pure crystal, carrying spears and armor designed not only for war but also for awe. But that wasn't the most impressive part...
They were holding something back.
Everything froze. The fighters stood still as the riders crossed their spears, aiming at the body of a beast—a creature half-human, half-animal.
I stood motionless for a few minutes, watching the revolutionaries retreat and the kingdom regain control of the capital.
Then came the shouts. The cheers. Hope was rising again. Like lightning crashing from the sky, the soldiers of Alkaster descended upon every revolutionary, disabling them one by one—led by none other than Striker Boro himself.
"Your Majesty," Boro said, approaching with firm steps, "you shouldn't be here... especially not at the epicenter of the attack."
"Wait... how do you know that I'm...?" I began, stunned. "Wasn't I wearing my hood?"
He didn't answer. He simply walked up to me with the same calm one would use to tame a storm. Then, without a word, he took my fallen hood and pulled it back over my face.
"Go. Find your sister, Kael, and stay out of trouble," he said firmly. He paused briefly and gave me an approving look. "Oh, and one more thing... Well done. I see the spirit of Lanpar runs strong in your veins."
"And where would my sister be?" I muttered to myself. "Ah... damn it, right. The Swordsman Academy—that was the rendezvous point."
"Striker Boro," I called out with respect, "if you see my father... tell him I'm okay. Tell him not to worry."
He nodded solemnly. Then, with a subtle hand motion, he conjured a sword wrapped in dark lightning—denser and more powerful than any regular bolt. It wasn't just elemental magic... it was a sub-element. Interesting. But this wasn't the time to get distracted.
I stored that curiosity for later, and after receiving Boro's silent signal, I started running. This time without magic. My mana was completely drained.
I tried casting a spell. Nothing. Not even a spark. Along with the magical void, I felt a strange heaviness in my body. I was exhausted. I had overused Wind Step.
I sighed.
Almost at the rendezvous point, I heard trumpets. They didn't come from inside the city... but from beyond the walls. From the first line of defense. Those echoes were followed by war cries. Thousands—maybe tens of thousands—of enemy soldiers were advancing.
And then, I felt it.
The tremor beneath my feet. The pounding of shields struck by swords. A single message vibrated through the ground: the real attack was just beginning.
The victorious cheers in the capital were silenced immediately. Screams returned. Terror. Despair. People ran aimlessly, as if hope had never existed.
There were too many rebels... far too many.
—"Soldiers of Auroria!" Boro roared from the heart of the chaos. "Do not let fear steal your courage! Defend your kingdom, your legacy! Raise your heads… and crush these traitors!"
"For Auroria! For our families!" the soldiers shouted in unison, their voices igniting the air like sparks in a dry field.
Mages, warriors, and riders raised their weapons high. The collective roar sparked something inside me. For a moment... I felt the urge to join them. To fight. But...
I have no mana. My body won't respond. And...
"Damn… my heart," I whispered between gasps, leaning toward the ground.
I spat blood.
It hurts. I don't feel right. Something's wrong—terribly wrong.
And for the first time in this entire hell,
I felt real fear.
My body no longer obeyed me. Not even my mind, which began to slip away, fading like it was sliding into a bottomless abyss. Everything was going dark... until I saw her.
My sister. She was riding at full speed on the back of one of the crystal riders. She looked rushed… and, in a way, scared. I wasn't surprised to see her, but... wait...
Mom?
"No, Kal!" my mother shouted. "Mai, help me with your brother. Get him on the horse—now!"
I felt my sister's arms wrap tightly around me. She lifted me as best she could and pulled me up beside her on the mount. And then, just like that... I vanished.
I don't remember much after that. Just scattered images, like fragments of a poorly stitched dream. The journey, led by my mother at the front, became a blur. The grand capital of dreams—Auroria—faded slowly into the horizon as my barely-open eyes caught a glimpse of three figures flying toward the battlefield.
I couldn't make out who they were. I only hope... they don't bring bad news.
"I hope we win this battle…" I murmured, clutching my chest as a sharp pain shot through my heart. "It hurts... so much…"
I think… I'll take a rest. Just for a little while.
POV — Mayrei Lanpar
Saying I wasn't worried about my brother would be lying to myself. I loved him. Deeply. He was my first brother... and more than that: my best friend.
He had always been there for me in my darkest moments, when the kings of this kingdom—our parents—weren't. It was him, just a child, who guided me better than any adult. He taught me not to give up... even when I wanted to.
I let out a soft sigh and looked back. Kal slept against my back, curled up like a fragile little bundle of life.
The kingdom... it's in ruins. All because of... well, it doesn't even matter anymore. Not now. The most important thing is knowing where we're headed.
"Mother, which route are we taking?" I asked, breaking the silence. "We're not safe… and definitely not protected."
"The rebel armies are moving north of the capital… and toward other cities as well," she replied without looking at me. "Right now, there is no safe place in the human realm."
"Then… where are we going?" I asked, a knot tightening in my chest.
"Home," she said. "To our clan's sanctuary. The Crystal Prairie."
At that moment, my mother suddenly pulled her horse to a stop.
I did the same immediately, holding Kal steady to keep him from falling.
"What is it? Why are we stopping?" I asked, sharpening my senses.
"We're being followed," she murmured. "Five will arrive. I need you to go ahead. Don't look back."
Her voice turned cold.
"I'm already angry."
When my mother gives an order, it gets done. I'm not afraid of leaving her behind. She's far too powerful for ordinary people to even lay a finger on her.
She's a Horsewoman of the Apocalypse. A legend. She defeated an entire army on her own. What could five... or six more possibly do to her?
All that's left is to trust.
"Go, Scorpion!" I shouted to my mount. "The kingdom is broken, and right now… no one can be trusted."
Except the Astrals.