The acrid smell of gunpowder lingered in the air. Blood seeped through my fingers, warm and sticky, as Alain’s weight grew heavier in my arms. His chest, which had been faintly rising just moments ago, was now still.

  “No… no, NO! You can’t leave me like this! Dammit, Alain!” I screamed, shaking him as though sheer force could bring him back.

  The sound of my own thundering heartbeat drowned out everything else. The world around me seemed to dissolve—fading into a swirling haze, like smoke dissipating in the wind. All that remained was me, clutching my brother’s lifeless body, trapped in the suffocating void of my grief.

  [Ire’s Mental Stability: Critical.]

  [Issuing Temporary Appropriation of Ability: Memory Reenactment from Nearby “Marked”: Tokei Makina.]

  A voice suddenly pierced the veil of my despair. Warm, soft, and achingly familiar, it echoed in my ears and stirred something deep within my chest—a strange, melancholic ache.

  {Ire… or wait, should I say Elysia? You’ve been doing so well since your rebirth. I don’t have much power left, just enough to show you a small piece of the past, but I hope it’s helpful. Find yourself.}

  The voice faded into static as the world around me began to shift. Alain’s body slipped from my arms, vanishing into nothingness. My breath caught in my throat as my surroundings dissolved, morphing into a completely different place.

  When I opened my eyes again, I felt the softness of grass beneath my feet. The air was cool and refreshing, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. Above me, the sky blazed with hues of orange, pink, and blue, a serene canvas untouched by the chaos I had just escaped.

  A voice called out from behind me—lower and softer than I remembered, but unmistakable all the same.

  “Elysia.”

  I turned, my breath hitching as I saw him: Alain. He looked so young, no older than nine or ten. His bright eyes sparkled with the energy I remembered, even though I knew what awaited him in the years ahead. My chest ached with longing, but all I could do was watch and let the scene unfold.

  “Alain~!”

  Without thinking, I rushed toward him, wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace. “How has my little sister been doing?” Alain asked, his voice soft and playful. His smile faltered as he coughed, a harsh sound that cut through the idyllic moment.

  “Alain!” I pulled back just enough to see his face, worry etched into mine. “Has Father been making you use your ability again? The doctor said you shouldn’t! They said your mana intake is too much for your body and using it could…” My voice cracked. “It could hurt you.”

  He gave me a weary smile. “Elysia, there’s nothing I can do, even if I wanted to.”

  I shook my head fiercely, tears threatening to spill. “But you don’t have to! Father said if I stopped distracting you, he wouldn’t make you use your powers so much. I could—”

  “No.” His tone was firm, cutting through my protest. “I don’t think I could keep going if I didn’t have these times with you. You’re the only thing that makes all of this bearable.”

  My heart clenched, and I looked away, unable to hold his gaze. “Then… what if we pretended? We could distance ourselves in front of him but still keep our bond in secret. That way, he wouldn’t…” I trailed off, unsure if I was being foolish or clever.

  Alain studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, a soft chuckle escaped him. “Do you really believe we can pull it off?”

  “Hmph! Are you underestimating me because I’m young?” I crossed my arms, pouting.

  He laughed, a sound so precious that it made my chest ache. “Of course not. Then let’s do it. My master strategist,” he said, teasing.

  “Indeed!” I replied, lifting my chin with mock seriousness. “Let us proceed with the strategy meeting, then.”

  Alain ruffled my hair, his smile softer now. “Look at you, all grown up.”

  “Hey! Don’t tease me!” I swatted his hand away, but I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face.

  “You’re so pure… I want you to stay like this. Stay happy and healthy, and don’t let anyone sway you. You must be the ship to brave the looming waves. No matter how rough it gets, don’t lose sight of the shore—that is yourself.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Okay~!”

  [Memory Reenactment Concluded.]

  The warmth of that memory faded, and I was yanked back into the cold, brutal reality. Alain’s lifeless body was still in my arms, his skin pale and icy. Tears blurred my vision as I sat there, unresponsive to the chaos around me.

  The assassin who had shot Alain, realizing his gun was empty after dispatching the guards, tossed the weapon aside. Crawling forward, he saw his chance. I was too lost in my grief to notice his approach. His hands closed around my neck, yanking me backward into a suffocating chokehold.

  Kegh, kegh.

  I struggled, my vision darkening as panic clawed at me. My mind snapped back to reality.

  What do I do now, Alain? What’s the point of any of this without you?

  Then, like a whisper through the fog, his voice echoed in my mind. “Dummy, don’t even think about dying for no reason.”

  If only I could hear those words from him again. But I knew—he’d want me to live. He’d want his sacrifice to mean something.

  Resolve surged through me. My hands clawed at the assassin’s grip, but it was no use. He was too strong. Think, Elysia!

  Shifting my weight, I wound up my arm and drove my elbow backward with all the strength I could muster. The sharp point of my elbow connected with his chest, forcing a sharp gasp from his lungs as his grip on me loosened.

  I rolled to the side, out of his reach, and gasped for air. My heart thundered in my chest as I locked eyes with my attacker. He staggered upright, his hand reaching for the dagger I had dislodged from my chest earlier. Brandishing it, his movements were desperate but determined as he lunged at me.

  I twisted to avoid the strike, but the blade grazed my right arm, leaving a deep, searing laceration. Pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth and steadied myself. His momentum caused him to stumble, and I seized the opportunity.

  Summoning every ounce of strength, I kicked his leg as best as I could in the restrictive dress I was wearing. He crumpled to the ground with a resounding thud, groaning in pain. The dagger slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

  Without hesitation, I grabbed the blade and drove it deep into his eye socket, burying it up to the hilt. His body spasmed once before falling still, blood bubbling and pooling beneath him.

  I stumbled backward, my breaths ragged, giving myself a moment to steady my spinning head. Then, with trembling legs, I limped toward Alain’s lifeless body.

  Kneeling beside him, I whispered through the lump in my throat, “B-Brother, I’ll make sure they can’t take your body or desecrate it any further. I’ll make sure they pay for this.”

  My hands clenched into fists so tight that my nails bit into my palms, drawing blood. My gaze fell on a dagger tucked into Alain’s belt. I carefully retrieved it, pausing when I noticed the engravings etched into the blade.

  On one side, it read, “A present for my brother!” and on the other, “A gift from my sister.”

  I stared at the dagger, my vision blurring with fresh tears. Alain had spoken the truth. The vision I’d seen wasn’t a fabrication; it was a fragment of a past we had shared.

  As I held the blade, the weight of our family’s cruelty pressed down on me. The years of manipulation, the sacrifices forced upon us—it all led to this moment. My jaw tightened as I whispered, “The King is to blame for this. For Alain’s death.”

  The dagger trembled in my grip as I made a silent vow. This family may have taken everything from us, but I shall return the favor in kind and make sure it’s reduced to nothing but fading embers.

  The Royal Palace, Sometime earlier.

  Crown Princess Thalina stood before the grand door to her father’s office, steeling herself before entering. The moment she stepped inside, the austere atmosphere weighed heavily on her.

  “Greetings, Your Majesty,” she said, curtsying with practiced grace.

  The towering figure of King Kaelvyrn glanced up from the scrolls on his desk, his piercing eyes as cold as ice. “Yes, very well. What is it that prompted you to seek me out?”

  “I have heard unsettling news,” she began, her tone measured. “I was told you plan to dispose of the Luminastra family. Is this true?”

  His expression didn’t waver. “Indeed. And what of it?”

  She hesitated for a brief moment before pressing on. “I must ask you to reconsider. If we annihilate them, the southern territories will destabilize. The people will descend into chaos! Surely, political measures could have achieved our aims without resorting to such violence.”

  The king leaned back in his chair, an edge of derision creeping into his voice. “You naive child. Do you truly believe such idealism has a place here? On the battlefield, would you leave an enemy alive out of mercy? Or would you strike them down, knowing they would rise again to avenge their fallen?”

  Thalina’s gaze faltered, but she stood her ground. “Father, I understand the principle, but—”

  “No buts,” he snapped, slamming a hand onto the desk. “The Luminastra family’s actions speak for themselves. They’ve traded with countries in Ishunay, funneling crops into their coffers while levying crushing tolls upon the rest of the kingdom. They’ve made a mockery of loyalty, and their punishment is overdue.”

  His words were final, his tone leaving no room for argument.

  Thalina’s hands clenched at her sides, but she kept her voice steady. “I… I see your point. However—”

  “Enough,” he interrupted, dismissing her with a wave. “If you understand, then take your leave. There is no room for weakness in the empire’s future, and I will not entertain it.”

  Her heart sank as she realized further protest would be futile. Bowing her head, she replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. I shall depart now.”

  As the door closed behind her, Thalina’s mind swirled with doubt and unease. Is this truly what’s best for the empire? Or is Father’s ambition clouding his judgment?