POV of Kael Lanpar
(Unknown Place)
Now I remember… more than that, now I see.
To be separated from myself, to watch someone else take control of the life that was… given to me.
My memories were like a stormy sea, crashing back and forth, tangled with emotions I didn't know how to hold. They hurt… but I understood them.
Now I shared memories with him. With my father.
He did what he could—everything within his reach.
And I'll always be grateful to him for giving me a second chance… a new life.
During the time I was trapped in that pendant, I could see the truth of my new existence.
Every experience my other half lived: when he laughed, when he cried… when he loved.
And somehow, all of it began to fade away.
I had held back my pain for so long, repressed it so deeply, that I almost ended up consumed by it.
That was his greatest gift.
That small blow of reality that saved me.
What would've happened if I hadn't had it?
"Well… I'd better go see what my other half left behind," I murmured as I slowly stood up.
When I placed my hands on the ground, I felt grass beneath them.
That surprised me—my last conscious memory was with my brother… not here.
"How strange," I whispered, brushing the damp earth.
When I looked up, I saw him.
There he was—my father. Sitting by the river, fishing, just as we used to when I was a child.
My feet started to move.
At first, dragging. Then, running.
I couldn't believe it.
"Thank you, little goddess… finally doing something right," I whispered, holding back tears.
"Did you catch anything yet, Father? Looks like good weather, doesn't it?" I asked with a smile as I approached.
"No… nothing's biting yet," he replied calmly. "How have you been, son?"
"Better than good. May I join you?"
I sat beside him. He simply nodded.
I lay back on the cool grass, staring up at a clear sky, bathed in the light of a new dawn.
One for him… and one for me.
All that time, we said nothing.
There was no need.
The silence spoke for us.
We had lived so much…
Being together again was enough to relive every moment of a life that, despite everything, had been enough.
"Father…" I said, drawing his attention. "I wanted to tell you that—"
Before I could finish, the fishing rod jerked: finally, something had bitten.
"We got one!" we shouted together.
"Here, let me help!" I said, grabbing the rod with him. "On the count of three, we pull."
"One… two… three!"
The fish flew out of the water. Not big, not small.
But just the right size to feel like a victory.
"Well…" I said, breathless. "What do we do with it?"
"Let it go," he answered, looking me in the eye.
"Don't you think it deserves a second chance too? A second life?"
I see where you're going with this, Father, I thought.
The real meaning behind the chance you gave me… now I understand.
There was no need to thank you with words.
Because now… I truly understand.
"Yes," I said aloud. "It deserves a second chance. Just like the one you gave me."
"Father… I don't want you to think I don't love the life you gave me.
But I need you to understand… it's hard."
"I know, son," he said gently, brushing the hair from my face.
"I know that living again is hard.
Especially when you were never afraid of death… but of life."
"And that's contradictory," he continued.
"Someone like you, strong enough to keep moving forward…
To fear what requires strength… is strange, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I know.
I'm fearful… stubborn… grumpy," I said with a soft laugh.
"I know living is hard. And maybe I don't even deserve this life.
But that's why I was born again—
To forget who I was.
And become who I always wanted to be."
Someone who doesn't carry the weight of other souls in every decision.
Someone who doesn't stare at a throne he never wanted to claim.
Someone who doesn't bear the burden of leading a peace…
he's not even sure he can create.
I don't want to sacrifice everything again.
I've already lost too much to live repeating the same story… over and over.
"I think time's running out, Kal," he said, watching his body begin to glow softly.
"It was more than enough, Father," I replied, holding him tightly.
"I want you to know that just as I've accepted this new life,
you must also accept that it wasn't your fault.
You had no other choice."
"I love you, Father," I continued, closing my eyes.
"Please remember that… beyond life and death,
I will always love you."
"I love you too, son," he whispered, crying on my shoulder.
"I accept it… there was nothing more I could do.
But promise me one thing:
Live this life in the way you couldn't live the last."
I didn't answer.
Not because I didn't want to promise,
but because in that moment, all I wanted was to stay by his side.
Knowing this wasn't goodbye.
It was a see you later.
I hugged him tighter, feeling him fade in my arms,
leaving me with a promise I would keep—no matter the cost.
Even if I fall a thousand times, I'll rise a thousand more.
Because in the end, the battle is won by the one who never gives up.
"I promise, Father… I will live this life," I whispered.
And then, I felt nothing.
I don't know when I stopped feeling his warmth… his tears… his love.
I just remember that when I opened my eyes, I was holding air.
My eyes were wet, the tears falling uncontrollably.
I looked around, searching for my mother… my sister.
But I found no one.
There was only a dark, wide room, adorned with plants
and a large chandelier faintly lighting the space.
I sat up in bed, wiping my tears as a thought crossed my mind:
At last, I'll be able to live this life… even if it's not easy.
"Ah… my head," I murmured, gently rubbing my temple.
The memories returned, one by one, with every detail:
The battle, the blood… the decision to kill for a greater good.
I can't justify it—
But yes… I can understand it.
And that's enough to keep my soul at peace.
"Hahaha…" I laughed softly.
I was so focused on finding a way to forgive myself
that I ended up locking myself in a prison I built with my own hands.
One that kept me from seeing what was right in front of me.
From feeling what I loved.
"Well, I'd better go find my family," I said, now with a smile.
I climbed out of bed. The cold floor chilled my feet.
I walked to the curtains and pulled them open.
A beautiful sunrise stretched out before me—
A new beginning.
Tok. Tok.
That was the sound of the door.
From the aura I felt… it had to be Mai.
I went straight to open it, and I was right.
There she was.
She looked at me as if she'd seen a ghost.
"Ka… Kal…" she stammered, her voice breaking.
Her hands were trembling. She was on the verge of tears.
Something terrible must have happened… something I didn't yet know.
Before I could ask, her hands gave out.
A plate of food hit the floor.
By reflex, I caught it before it could shatter.
"Sis, are you okay?" I asked, still holding the plate.
"That's what I should be asking you, you little brat! You scared me!" she shouted—then ran to hug me.
I hugged her back, letting that familiar warmth surround me again—so deep, so alive… so needed. I was happy to have her with me, even if I felt like I was being suffocated.
"Mai, you're hugging me a little too hard…" I coughed, barely able to speak.
"You scared Mom and me half to death. Why are you like this?" she sobbed, easing her grip a bit. "I thought you were going to die."
"Don't think you'll get rid of me that easily," I said, trying to ease her worry with a smile.
We stayed like that for a while. Then, without a word, Mai wiped her tears… with my shirt. I wouldn't have minded so much if I hadn't ended up soaked… and shirtless.
"You were unconscious for three days," she said as I searched for another shirt. "You weren't showing any signs of waking up—we feared the worst… and rightfully so."
"Can you remind me again where we are?" I asked as I buttoned up. "Are we still in the human kingdom, or did we have to flee elsewhere?"
"We're still in the kingdom, just a bit farther out," she replied, calmer now. "I won't tell you exactly where—it's a surprise. But one thing's for sure: we're safe."
"Let's hope so…" I murmured to myself. "The Midorians… those bastards. I don't know why, but I have a feeling they were behind the attacks on the cities… including the capital."
I'd dealt with powerful families before—people who always played to their advantage, no matter who they had to drag down in the process. That kind of person is the most dangerous. They act out of convenience, and they have a natural talent for hiding their true intentions.
"So… aren't you going to tell your dear little brother anything?" I asked Mai with a playful expression. "I hate being left in the dark."
"So, you don't like surprises," she sighed. "Come on. They're waiting for us outside. You'll find out everything in due time."
"Guess I have no choice…" I grumbled as I followed her through the hallways of what was clearly not a simple house. It looked more like a mansion: gold statues, marble walls… humility was clearly not the style here.
How much money did the owner spend building this place?
I was so lost in mental calculations of how many Yenis were wasted that I didn't notice the girl running straight toward me.
It was too late.
The collision was inevitable, and I ended up on the floor, my nose throbbing from the impact. The girl had also fallen and started crying. Her dark red hair covered her face, so I couldn't see who she was.
"Kal… looks like you've already met Airis," Mai said, helping me up.
"Who is she?" I asked, rubbing my nose.
Before Mai could answer, I felt it—
A demonic aura.
My body tensed. I looked up and saw the same girl… but her face was no longer that of a child. It was a mask of madness. I shuddered, truly afraid.
"What… what's happening to her?" I stammered, slowly stepping back. "Mai, tell me what to do… it looks like you know her, and I don't want to hurt her."
"Well… you'd better run if you don't want to fight," she said, crossing her arms.
"Wow, great advice…" I muttered, right before I had to dodge a punch that kicked up dust from the floor. What kind of strength does a kid her age have!?
I tried to react. I saw a kick coming straight for my face. I wanted to use earth magic, but the blow hit me first… and sent me flying several meters.
"Luckily, I managed to react in time," I said between gasps. "But damn, that hurt… my arms are still shaking."
"Airis!" a voice shouted from down the hallway.
She froze. Turned her head toward the source of the voice.
I took the opportunity to restrain her with a wrist lock. I pinned her to the ground firmly—but without hurting her.
"Feeling calmer now?" I asked. "If I hadn't defended myself, I'd probably be dead."
"Kael, let her go," said the same voice from before. "It's not her fault. She reacts this way around strangers. I'm sorry—she still doesn't trust anyone she hasn't seen before."
I looked up—
And there he was.
It was the same enigmatic figure I had seen silently observing from the palace of Noblezia.
What struck me the most was his aura: he was trembling and sweating. I couldn't tell if it was out of respect… or fear.
"Sorry to ask," I said as I released my hold, "but who are you… and why am I here?"
"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier, Kal… and for the impression I gave you. You probably think I'm a terrible grandfather," said the voice, firm as he slowly approached.
"You're… my grandfather?" I asked, fully letting go of the girl, who ran to hide behind the old man.
"Yes," he replied with a calm gaze. "My name is Luis Astrales. I'm your mother's father… and of course, your grandfather. Also Mai's."
"Then… you're the leader of the Astrales clan?" I said, surrounding my body with my aura. That presence, that power—it couldn't be a coincidence. "That's why you were at the Noblezia palace meeting, right?"
"I see you're very sharp, Kal," he said, sensing the pulse of my energy. "You're right. And even though I might not have the right to ask… I'd like you to call me 'grandfather,' no formalities."
I remembered an old book about the most powerful human clans on the continent. The Astrales were one of them. Being connected to two of the most dominant clans put me in a privileged position in the game of power.
Now it made more sense why my father had chosen for me to reincarnate into this body… more sense than I'd imagined.
"Alright… Grandpa," I said, stepping closer and extending my hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person… Broker Luis."
His body tensed for a moment. Not just because of the handshake—but because of what I'd called him. Broker was a title reserved only for the most powerful figures on the continent. Until now, I only knew two: my father in this life… and now him.
"That only confirms how studious you are," he said as he pulled me into an unexpected hug. "I know I haven't been in your life, Kal, but I'd like a chance to make up for some of that lost time."
I don't think I have much of a choice… I thought. If things keep going the way they are, we won't be returning to the kingdom anytime soon.
I just hope my father is alright… He's probably still fighting to protect the capital.
"Grandpa, one question," I said, pulling away from the hug a bit. "Where's my mother? And while we're at it… can someone finally tell me where we are?"
"Of course," he said with a smile. "You're in the Crystal Meadows, inside the Astrales Clan's domain. As for your mother, don't worry—she's fine. She'll come visit you both soon."
I don't doubt that for a second, I thought.
What worries me… is that girl. And what might be happening out there.
But I'm ready to begin again. It's time to take the first step.
I turned toward the girl, still clinging to my grandfather's coat.
"I know we got off to a rough start," I told her, "but… I'd really like for us to get along, Airis."
She didn't reply. She just stuck out her tongue and hid even further behind my grandfather.
"Well, I tried," I muttered.
"I should explore the place a bit," I said to myself. "Need to scout the area before I go wandering too far."
"Hey, Mai," I called out to her. "Wanna come explore the estate with me? I'm curious how big this place actually is."
She looked at me calmly, blinked once… and then turned to our grandfather.
"Grandpa, do you want to go with Kal to show him around? I'll stay with Airis. What do you say?"
"Of course!" he said, excited. "It'll be a great chance to get to know my grandson better."
"You're cruel," I whispered under my breath.
Mai chuckled softly, then whispered back:
"He always wanted to meet you. Give him a chance… Sometimes, there's just not enough time for everything in this world."
I sighed and nodded. I started walking beside the man who, until today, had been a stranger to me.
It wasn't that I didn't trust him—I just didn't know how to connect.
I never had grandparents in my past life. Just my parents and my sister. That was my small universe.
But now… that universe was expanding.
And with it, so was the darkness looming on the horizon.
I had a feeling: the chaos shaking the human kingdom would find its way here sooner or later.
I have to be ready.
Because every war begins with a whisper…
and ends with a scream so bloody, it makes us question whether there's any humanity left in us at all.