It has been a week now, and my vision hasn't returned yet. Although I still can't see normally, instead of complete darkness, I can see people's souls. It was a bit hard at first, but I’ve managed to get used to it.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMhOYKZXNN
I then realized that my grandmother cursed me to endlessly return and suffer, all because of the forbidden love my parents shared.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09y0dCWzXn
This might be why my father suddenly lost his emotions due to the curse, leading him to believe that my mother had an affair.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjtCqII1wi
Baron Samedi told me he initially thought my soul was inside the princess of this empire, Lychnis, since that was my true body.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly5sTHEjjW
Later, he discovered that the mother of demons had taken over my body, sending my soul to different worlds and timelines.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cXPCy3Ozu
My memories are faint, so I can’t even remember if Baron Samedi is an enemy or an ally. But I do recall a man who pledged his loyalty to me the moment I opened my eyes in this world.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMhjNlxfHA
I remember my mother smiling while a man with long silver hair held me. Yet I feel no connection to Baron Samedi.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPPAUwYhZd
He said I can’t see his soul because he once submitted to a demon for power. Castor and Cara are my twin dragon familiars. According to the baron, each gifted human has a familiar, and mine—a dragon—symbolizes power and authority.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuzJR3Pqo9
Little by little, I’m managing to digest everything and grow accustomed to seeing only the souls of others. As I question myself, I wonder... What happened to Ermis? Is he safe? Where is he now? It’s been five years, I hope he’s doing well.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCoETr3pjx
---
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqxKN02pSL
Time flies so fast, and it's already the end of their grade.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFNbBWMjSc
"Huhuhu, I'm gonna miss you, Leth," Sienna said, tears streaming down her face.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFQZNbL1Qz
"Don't worry, we'll exchange letters," Leth replied with a gentle smile.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbBNPyXvgq
They hugged each other goodbye before parting ways. Aeron accompanied Leth on her journey to the palace, while Caelum stayed in the magic tower to further refine his skills in magic.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9apphUlaM
As Leth stared out of the carriage window, she noticed a strange plume of smoke. A sense of familiarity washed over her, and she gave a slight smirk as the carriage continued toward the palace.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlO3iUp8Wu
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQp4NyfVJ4
---
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMStu6tZiic
Meanwhile, as they passed through the Willow Forest a place once destroyed by the emperor due to a demon ambush memories lingered of its tragic history.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTFApGRzgv
The willow tree stood as a sentinel of ancient wisdom, its gnarled trunk veined with silvery streaks that faintly glowed under the moonlight.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDX71WF5mt
Its long, drooping branches cascaded like a shimmering green waterfall, their leaves whispering secrets of forgotten realms whenever the wind danced through them.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bkK44hSRG
Tiny, bioluminescent orbs clung to the tips of the branches, flickering like stars caught in a gentle sway. Beneath its canopy, the air felt heavier, imbued with an ethereal calm that muffled the world outside.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkmXMVC3g1
Legends whispered that the tree's roots reached into the heart of the earth, drawing upon magic as old as time itself. Those who sought solace or answers often found themselves drawn to the willow, its presence a silent promise of shelter, clarity, and the wisdom of ages.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiefig0eSJ
As they passed through, Leth's heart skipped a beat in horror. She caught sight of a shadowy figure lurking behind the tree.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpFbUhYb82
"Aeron!" she gasped, her voice trembling.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoKBTog1x7
Aeron, noticing her distress, frowned. "Leth! What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDI835seYM
"I... I think I saw someone," she whispered shakily.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqNxCcfrk9
Aeron quickly ordered the coachman to stop the carriage. He stepped outside to search for the suspicious figure but found nothing. As he turned back to the carriage, he froze Leth’s coat lay discarded on the ground.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEEBlmQBId
"Leth! Leth, where are you?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the eerie forest. No answer came. A chilling memory surfaced in his mind:
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0chNo43uy
"It is said that the willow tree was planted by the goddess of creation herself. Each tree can reveal your heart's deepest desires and answer your questions.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUNRAXPVe2
But behind its cryptic answers lies a disturbing truth. These trees serve as warnings, reminding humans never to cross the boundaries between worlds."
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17D9zOYIsx
"It's just a myth," he muttered, gripping Leth's coat tightly. "Before the Great War, the willow tree stopped answering questions..."
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXXW43GtGV
"Child," a sweet voice echoed around him, faint but persistent.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVBDorurpv
Aeron felt his vision blur as dizziness overtook him. The voice seemed to pull him into a hypnotic trance.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI6WWgBiXE
"Focus on what you aim for, and do not listen to the voices," another voice suddenly cut through, snapping Aeron back to his senses.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGfyP2Cmqt
"Huh?" Aeron turned to see a cloaked girl standing nearby. She was about the same height as Leth.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVG0XjiRZz
"Who are you?" he asked.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtn3zFnu6i
"You mustn't let the voices sway you if you want to escape this forest alive," the girl warned. "The willow tree might be magical, but without the blessing of the elf who guards it, you will remain trapped in its illusion forever."
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN9yt3AuWH
"Illusion?" Aeron asked, confused.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc4jYwngrZ
He caught sight of a man standing behind the girl—a tall figure with long silver hair, his face obscured by a veil and a large hat.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlavRPL7YxL
"Beware of the one you travel with," the girl whispered. "She is a devil with an angel's face."
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6IH2FcWOK
Before Aeron could respond, the girl vanished.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMVepyF9LB
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFxbab1bKb
---
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDKy0VaM06
"Brother! Are you alright?" Leth's voice jolted him awake.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr1T2EH4JI
"Leth...? You...?" Aeron murmured, disoriented.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIed9LsrGp
"Are you alright, brother?" she asked, her concern evident.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Ovz8JTTk
"Was I... sleeping?" he asked, trying to piece his thoughts together.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCfRwWAuGv
"Yes, and we're already at the capital. What happened to you?" Leth asked worriedly.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwvu05wS7o
"Nothing," Aeron replied, shaking his head as the carriage resumed its journey.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs7uUNbd7p
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5rd3fDQzj
---
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8ZSaUWgF1
Meanwhile, back in the Willow Forest:
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1arOrrvkEh
"Was it her?" the cloaked girl asked.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC4yPpXOs7
"Yes," the man replied.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkmbubsbRb
"Alright, let's continue the play and finish what we started," the girl said, her tone resolute.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RgSpzpqPK
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6FTs7Fals
---
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sfn9EddBA
At the Evigheden mansion:
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb439LacU0
Lucian Evigheden, the eldest son at 17 years old, and Cedric Evigheden, aged 15, stood in the garden alongside their younger sister, Elena, who was just 6.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlL4XnswhV
The three of them mocked Ermis, who sat on the ground with a bleeding head. Beside him lay the shattered remains of a flower pot.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvm13YYQvU
"Haha, I don't understand why Father would take someone like you," Lucian said.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWfzsHlTVk
"Maybe because, in Father's eyes, you're not worthy of becoming the next duke!" Elena shot back, standing protectively in front of her stepbrother, Ermis.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuOMlhOIWW
"What the hell are you doing, Elena?" Cedric shouted, his shadow emerging behind him, scaring her.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M9W44W4i8
Ermis glared piercingly at Cedric through his shadow, which suddenly disappeared.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68cgzIlboK
"See? Did you see that? This guy is a total mess!" Cedric shouted in frustration.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdn2Pkkmt0
As Lucian moved to grab Ermis, their mother appeared.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX42HVpiorW
"Are you bullying Ermis again, Lucian?" Amara asked calmly.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiJ0Pssznw
"M-Mother..." Lucian muttered, looking away.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlfUzJDw51
"Lucian... Your father and I love you both equally, but that doesn’t mean you can bully your brother," she said firmly.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApHg4lsCpX
"He is not my brother! And he never will be!" Lucian shouted, storming out of the room.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ7xJSwA9l
Amara sighed and helped Ermis to his feet. "I’m sorry about that, Ermis. And I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your graduation. Something urgent came up at the palace," she explained.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yxk1OvFv4
"It’s fine," Ermis replied quietly.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O9ncIfMuy
Amara smiled. "You know, I have a little gift for you." She handed him a small, old, rusty key.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOJvU1q1RD
"Deep in the Willow Forest, you’ll find a strange, wooden door. The door only appears under the red full moon, which comes once a year. It hasn’t appeared yet this year, but when it does, this key will unlock something far greater than you could ever imagine," Amara said.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW7B9amVsp
"Wow! So magical! Ermis, take me with you, alright?" Elena said excitedly.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCAIXZhloX
"Elena, Ermis will go alone," Amara said, holding her daughter's hand.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbIGbQNbek
"Ehhh... Mom, you’re mean!" Elena pouted.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQFBW6nkZZ
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpmgWKDhtb
---
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QJtUVEKz0
Later that evening, as Ermis practiced his swordsmanship alone, the duke approached him.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4iiAxXWnC
"I couldn’t come earlier because of an emergency at the palace," the duke said.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UQirYRwZ4
"D-Duke... Oh, it’s alright," Ermis replied.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X1O7dExMn
"We’re going to the palace tomorrow. You’ll come with me to participate in the war. Is that alright with you?" the duke asked.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6ZHiSJlzp
"I don’t mind at all, Duke, but... If you’re choosing me, doesn’t that mean you’re naming me your heir?" Ermis asked hesitantly.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKi40YWES5
"Precisely," the duke confirmed.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJrbyJ9j70
"But what about Lucian?" Ermis questioned.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qA2M3lI9Q
"You’ll understand the reason why when you enter that door," the duke said, smiling as he patted Ermis on the arm. "Now, get some good sleep. We’re leaving tomorrow."
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCg5eSJLBl
_________
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtosI4g8IAM
Ermis and the duke then went to the palace for the emperor to gave then his blessings while taking aeron with them.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwjfFHIbkR
A lot have happened the duke, aeron and Ermis won each war. They conquer 3 kingdoms and eliminate dark forces this happen for almost 8 years going and fulfilling the oath. Yet the duke somehow got to leave for another order for his majesty he only serve in the war with Ermis and Aeron for 5 years.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTrS2WBIn8
(5years ago at the palace)
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDiDMl154G
"Your Highness, Xyril is here." Commander Albert said.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56Te6Q7T1a
"Let him in" the duke said.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXR6marqTj
"Duke Evigheden, his majesty want you to go back to the palace." Xyril said.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYwgAAXMY8
Meanwhile at the training area where Aeron and Ermis are sparing.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0FKfj5jjy
"Xyril is here, I guess something big came out" Aeron said.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiSpL7Scaq
Ermis on the other hand he looked at the different direction feeling a sense that someone was looking at them.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdssUNo3gD
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT2eSEW2kV
然後按「加至主畫面」