The dorm was silent.
The academy rested.
But Nexael couldn’t.
No matter how long he lay there, staring at the ceiling, something pressed against his chest—
a heaviness he didn’t understand
and a darkness he couldn’t ignore.
So he finally stood, slipped out of the room, and walked alone toward the academy’s training grounds.
Nexel swung his practice blade again and again, hoping movement would calm his restless mind.
Instead, something inside him cracked.
A burning pain crawled up his spine.
His vision blurred.
Then—
He saw it.
His old village.
Their small home.
The door wide open, swaying gently.
Inside the doorway—
a winged creature holding a blood-soaked sword.
And on the floor—
His mother’s lifeless body.
A spark ignited deep in his chest—
a spark that should never be awakened.
His left eye darkened—
turning pitch-black.
The First Gate opened.
Just for a heartbeat.
But enough for the monster inside him to slip through.
A violent aura exploded from his body, shaking the training grounds.
Dark. Heavy. Ancient.
And then—
as fast as it came—
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it vanished.
His eye shifted back.
Nexel dropped to one knee, panting, trembling, gripping his sword like it was the only thing grounding him.
But far away, that brief ripple of darkness traveled across realms.
The Light Queen gasped, clutching her chest.
The Shadow King rose from his throne in fear.
The Valtarian Royals exchanged horrified looks.
They all felt it.
The reminder of a power they believed was erased during the Great War.
A threat they thought would never rise again.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
“You should be in your room at this hour,” a calm voice said.
Nexel still knelt, sword planted into the ground.
He didn’t turn—only smiled faintly.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
Elyon walked closer, hands in his pockets, eyes on the night sky.
“…I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted.
“I kept thinking about her. Wondering how she’s doing.”
He paused, then added softly,
“I was planning to visit her tomorrow. Thought you might want to come too.”
Nexel’s heart jumped.
The darkness inside him dissolved instantly.
He stood up, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“Count me in. Mom… we’re coming to surprise you.”
? The Visit
Before sunrise, the brothers sneaked out of the academy like old times.
The closer they got to the village, the faster Nexel walked.
Until he stopped.
Dead still.
Their home stood ahead—
and the door…
It was open.
Exactly like in his vision.
“Nexel?” Elyon turned with concern. “What’s wrong?”
Nexel’s breath disappeared.
His fingers shook.
But before panic could crush him—
a pair of warm, familiar hands wrapped around him from behind.
A gentle voice whispered:
“Nexel… my boy. Why are you shaking like this?”
His heart nearly collapsed in relief.
He turned slowly—
and saw her.
Their mother, smiling softly, holding him in her arms.
And right beside her feet…
A basket of fruit.
Bright. Fresh. Filled with apples, berries, and nuts.
Nexel stared, confused, breath still unsteady.
“I—Mom… the door… it was open…”
She laughed lightly, brushing his cheek.
“Oh dear… I went to the market before it closed. I rushed back because I didn’t want to miss the last basket of good fruit.”
She lifted it playfully.
“I must have forgotten to shut the door. Silly me.”
The nightmare in Nexael’s vision shattered instantly.
His chest loosened.
His knees weakened with relief.
Elyon let out a long breath too, smiling at the scene.
Their mother opened her arms wider.
“Now come here, both of you. I haven’t seen my boys in so long.”
Nexel and Elyon stepped forward—
Home.
Safe.
For now.
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