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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoVyYOo2Dz
I then realized that my grandmother cursed me to endlessly return and suffer, all because of the forbidden love my parents shared.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOUtS2AQ2a
This might be why my father suddenly lost his emotions due to the curse, leading him to believe that my mother had an affair.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuOpEwICGs
Baron Samedi told me he initially thought my soul was inside the princess of this empire, Lychnis, since that was my true body.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaBUhmEJnj
Later, he discovered that the mother of demons had taken over my body, sending my soul to different worlds and timelines.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iB4vv1WXv
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTNFZO8GYf
I remember my mother smiling while a man with long silver hair held me. Yet I feel no connection to Baron Samedi.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjejkquzesH
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP7LBeXyA2
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyDHCp1Ppm
---
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaNUQbzLgl
Time flies so fast, and it's already the end of their grade.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIPljWSUhH
"Huhuhu, I'm gonna miss you, Leth," Sienna said, tears streaming down her face.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bOK3tmf8c
"Don't worry, we'll exchange letters," Leth replied with a gentle smile.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hwmMyOcLw
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsltDhohN4
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97FktCfzkv
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHDmMdTbZ6
---
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeCdR2bdQa
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7R0BP0ipb
The willow tree stood as a sentinel of ancient wisdom, its gnarled trunk veined with silvery streaks that faintly glowed under the moonlight.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kkPsSFVzA
Its long, drooping branches cascaded like a shimmering green waterfall, their leaves whispering secrets of forgotten realms whenever the wind danced through them.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWkOwhaHKb
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v9zRghA0G
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsSVLhUaHl
As they passed through, Leth's heart skipped a beat in horror. She caught sight of a shadowy figure lurking behind the tree.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGJxBl229W
"Aeron!" she gasped, her voice trembling.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FxqHxHExa
Aeron, noticing her distress, frowned. "Leth! What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFjxOaSG89
"I... I think I saw someone," she whispered shakily.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhJaEgFlEZ
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnN41UtwHu
"Leth! Leth, where are you?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the eerie forest. No answer came. A chilling memory surfaced in his mind:
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWgnXg9aJ7
"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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlgwWh0osO
But behind its cryptic answers lies a disturbing truth. These trees serve as warnings, reminding humans never to cross the boundaries between worlds."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfghWwLyV9f
"It's just a myth," he muttered, gripping Leth's coat tightly. "Before the Great War, the willow tree stopped answering questions..."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwna0EmREB
"Child," a sweet voice echoed around him, faint but persistent.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfxVskbTQX
Aeron felt his vision blur as dizziness overtook him. The voice seemed to pull him into a hypnotic trance.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGThTZLIZn2
"Focus on what you aim for, and do not listen to the voices," another voice suddenly cut through, snapping Aeron back to his senses.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5aFgJt7Ci
"Huh?" Aeron turned to see a cloaked girl standing nearby. She was about the same height as Leth.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3N5W8aiTb
"Who are you?" he asked.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexUqWoXFj3
"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."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd46l1CeuH
"Illusion?" Aeron asked, confused.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn2eMNK5op
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyd1lIKFEG
"Beware of the one you travel with," the girl whispered. "She is a devil with an angel's face."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKehRWS5KtL
Before Aeron could respond, the girl vanished.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu0lHXVQbJ
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2FRzXx8Lz
---
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDd7FrGVmA
"Brother! Are you alright?" Leth's voice jolted him awake.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW44gf8z5cn
"Leth...? You...?" Aeron murmured, disoriented.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZvcjP9Oja
"Are you alright, brother?" she asked, her concern evident.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSVT7lCPWp
"Was I... sleeping?" he asked, trying to piece his thoughts together.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWcRccJFPJ
"Yes, and we're already at the capital. What happened to you?" Leth asked worriedly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW22xGs1mdg
"Nothing," Aeron replied, shaking his head as the carriage resumed its journey.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlWJJCAlhK
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBjA4l5Z2i
---
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54PXfFiIQN
Meanwhile, back in the Willow Forest:
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZewPebo1X2
"Was it her?" the cloaked girl asked.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIJzm3bWO5
"Yes," the man replied.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0So2e7YFA
"Alright, let's continue the play and finish what we started," the girl said, her tone resolute.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNTt5oDWzj
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoYAklGXMc
---
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudwUMbW2yf
At the Evigheden mansion:
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgOwL9GPaA
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu04yq5VBN
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mRpDUm8Xn
"Haha, I don't understand why Father would take someone like you," Lucian said.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs4yUeHsGN
"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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1xgVc18Gy
"What the hell are you doing, Elena?" Cedric shouted, his shadow emerging behind him, scaring her.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuS8P0Efeo
Ermis glared piercingly at Cedric through his shadow, which suddenly disappeared.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXcCPBq8NS
"See? Did you see that? This guy is a total mess!" Cedric shouted in frustration.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF75l2xxKCD
As Lucian moved to grab Ermis, their mother appeared.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZf1MBN87h
"Are you bullying Ermis again, Lucian?" Amara asked calmly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadACGXcyuR
"M-Mother..." Lucian muttered, looking away.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPPJAuQg93
"Lucian... Your father and I love you both equally, but that doesn’t mean you can bully your brother," she said firmly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffWUhIv8Pd
"He is not my brother! And he never will be!" Lucian shouted, storming out of the room.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHnM4SIZBt
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58cxYenRBN
"It’s fine," Ermis replied quietly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1E83dsqlq
Amara smiled. "You know, I have a little gift for you." She handed him a small, old, rusty key.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ8gHilWlN
"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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2clzgQd3F
"Wow! So magical! Ermis, take me with you, alright?" Elena said excitedly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p5sDvLgiS
"Elena, Ermis will go alone," Amara said, holding her daughter's hand.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAIf38NTTI
"Ehhh... Mom, you’re mean!" Elena pouted.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyizq345z9
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoQTNRiJxj
---
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIb0MqUnZF
Later that evening, as Ermis practiced his swordsmanship alone, the duke approached him.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTf4Kkpb5c
"I couldn’t come earlier because of an emergency at the palace," the duke said.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqogYCOzwWP
"D-Duke... Oh, it’s alright," Ermis replied.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVOV9iJb0W
"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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVSvWGQnT8
"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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnfwpZtpnB
"Precisely," the duke confirmed.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqrL718qAj
"But what about Lucian?" Ermis questioned.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz5Agg7fUF
"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."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxazmuVCEuS
_________
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8AK8cjxiE
Ermis and the duke then went to the palace for the emperor to gave then his blessings while taking aeron with them.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHes8wECYo6
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.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziDefNZUE9
(5years ago at the palace)
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2bFRKmqVc
"Your Highness, Xyril is here." Commander Albert said.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA6TawP2t1
"Let him in" the duke said.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXJr3bObck
"Duke Evigheden, his majesty want you to go back to the palace." Xyril said.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYdJ4FfhFc
Meanwhile at the training area where Aeron and Ermis are sparing.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvBYC3SoVR
"Xyril is here, I guess something big came out" Aeron said.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkycaMzPvYZ
Ermis on the other hand he looked at the different direction feeling a sense that someone was looking at them.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmQLlSdDo8
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XEZbbeeOa
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.