Morning in the Forest
Lyra Subaru woke first.
A pale beam of morning sunlight filtered through the leaves above the camp, catching in her silver-blue hair as she slowly blinked awake. The twins—Mikaela and Theodore—were curled beside her inside the tent, their sleeping breaths soft and warm. Mikaela's fingers were loosely holding her sleeve; Theodore's forehead rested gently against her arm.
She exhaled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Another day… and today we head toward the Kingdom of Ravaryn—no… the Kingdom of False Light.
She didn't know yet why her chest felt a little heavy this morning. Not fear, not dread.
More like… something was shifting beneath the surface of the world. As if the wind itself was whispering warnings she couldn't interpret.
Quietly, she slipped out of the tent.
The cold morning air greeted her, fresh and crisp. Their campsite was peaceful—river flowing serenely nearby, their tents arranged around the firepit Aizen had built the previous night.
She walked to the river's edge and knelt, scooping the cold water to wash her face. The shock of the temperature woke her fully, widening her crystal-blue eyes.
But then—
She smelled something.
Not decay. Not fresh blood. But something metallic, like the faint trace left behind when a predator drags its prey through grass.
Her eyes narrowed.
Behind her, leaning beside the large tree, was Aizen's hunting bag.
Except… last night, it had only carried a few chunks of trimmed boar.
Now it was full—so full the straps strained.
Lyra blinked.
"Aizen didn't… hunt this much yesterday," she whispered.
She reached out, hesitating only a moment before opening the bag.
Inside lay several neatly dressed cuts of boar and a whole cleaned monster-rooster, prepared as if Aizen had hunted late into the night.
But she had been awake the whole time Aizen returned. He came back tired but calm, only carrying a modest haul.
She had no clue he fought an assassin at dawn. She had no idea he hunted again afterward to steady his mind.
All she saw now was a mysteriously full bag.
"…You must've worked harder than I realized," she murmured, touched yet confused.
She closed the bag and stood.
Today, she would cook something warm for everyone—something filling, something happy. She wanted the morning to feel peaceful, even if something didn't sit quite right inside her chest.
Preparing Breakfast
She selected one of the monster-roosters, laying it on a flat stone. Her fingers glowed faintly with heating magic as she summoned a pot and oil.
She chopped the meat with practiced motions—too practiced.
"Younger me could barely fry an egg…" she muttered, frowning at her own hands.
A slight tremble traveled through her chest.
Was she remembering things from her past life?
Or… had something followed her into this regression?
She shook her head. Not now.
She seasoned each piece thoroughly—powders of ground pepper-leaf, forest salt, ember-root crushed fine for warmth. She coated the cuts in flour-like dust she made using earth magic, grinding grains instantly.
Soon the pot was hot, the oil shimmering.
She placed the chicken pieces in with gentle precision, listening to the crisp crackling as they fried.
While the aroma bloomed through the campsite—rich, warm, nostalgic—she chopped red apples, arranged plates, set utensils, and used earth magic to raise a smooth wooden table with six chairs.
When she stepped back to look at everything she made—the table, the chairs, the food—she smiled softly.
"It's perfect…"
Now she needed to wake everyone.
Waking the Twins
Lyra returned to her tent and lightly shook Mikaela's shoulder.
"Mika, Theo… wake up," she whispered warmly. "Breakfast is ready. We need to eat a lot before the long walk to the Kingdom."
Mikaela groaned, rubbing her eyes.
"Is it morning already…?" she murmured.
"Yes. Wash your face first—it's cold but it'll wake you up."
Mikaela dragged herself outside while Theodore stumbled after her. The two splashed their sleepy faces in the river.
Lyra giggled quietly at them, then moved toward Aizen and Lina's tent.
Waking Aizen and Lina
Inside, Lina was clinging tightly to Aizen's arm, snoring softly. Aizen slept on his side, facing right, his black tail curled loosely behind him.
Lyra felt her cheeks warm at the sight.
They looked… peaceful.
She crouched beside them and whispered, "Lina… wake up."
Lina's eyes snapped open.
"Ugh… my tummy hurts… Ah—Mommy!" she said, instantly brightening.
"Breakfast is ready. Go join Mikaela and Theo. I'll wake up Aizen."
"Yes, okay!!" Lina hopped up and sprinted out of the tent.
"Slow down!" Mikaela shouted from outside. "You'll choke again!"
Lyra turned back to Aizen. His ears twitched at the noise, but he didn't wake.
She gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Aizen. Hey. Wake up. Breakfast is ready," she whispered softly. "The kids are already eating. You should too."
Aizen's golden eyes slowly opened.
"Oh… morning already…?"
"Yes. Come. Eat with us."
He sat up, stretching. "Thank you… Lyra."
She smiled, standing and leading him outside.
Breakfast Together
The roasted aroma filled the air as the family gathered around the wooden table Lyra had made.
Mikaela and Theodore were already munching apples. Lina was stuffing her face with fried chicken, tail wagging vigorously.
Aizen took a bite—and froze.
"…This is incredible."
Lyra blushed.
"It's really nothing—"
"No," Aizen said quietly, "you weren't this good at cooking… before."
He didn't look at her—only chewed thoughtfully.
As he ate, something gnawed at him.
Ever since he regressed, his mind had been sharper. Memories resurfaced more easily. His intuition cut deeper.
And Lyra—her cooking, her instincts, her timing—were far too perfect.
Did she… regress too?
No—that's too risky to even consider.
But she knew things… followed him… acted like she remembered moments from years ahead…
He shouldn't test her.
He couldn't risk losing her trust.
But the thoughts wouldn't leave.
Across the table, Lyra was thinking the same thing.
You weren't supposed to build that hidden hut so early… I shouldn't have known about it… unless…
Their eyes met—just for a second.
They both immediately looked away, pretending to focus on food.
The kids kept eating happily, unaware of the silent storm between the parents.
Aizen finally leaned back, swallowing the last of the fried chicken.
"This was delicious," he murmured.
Lyra smiled softly, relieved.
They finished their breakfast, packed their bags, cleaned the camp, and prepared to leave.
---
Leaving the Forest
They left the green forest behind, the wooden table and chairs left rooted in the earth like small sculptures marking their presence.
A long journey awaited them.
The fresh wind brushed their faces, carrying the distant scent of human civilization.
After some time walking—
"Papa…" Theodore tugged Aizen's sleeve. "I'm getting tired… Can you piggyback me?"
Aizen smiled gently.
"Yes. I'll carry you until we reach the gates."
Theodore cheered, climbing onto his back.
Mikaela's eye twitched.
"…I want a piggyback ride too," she muttered, sulking.
"You get one later," Aizen teased, ruffling her hair.
Eventually they approached the vast stone walls and shimmering banners of the Kingdom.
The Kingdom of False Light
Guards stopped them immediately.
"State your names and purpose."
"Travelers," Aizen said.
The guards squinted at him—at his large black lion ears, handsome face, and long heavy tail.
"…Cat beastman?"
Aizen didn't respond.
They glanced at Lyra next—her stunning beauty, her dragon aura barely contained.
Their eyes lingered too long.
Aizen's jaw tightened.
One guard's heartbeat skipped strangely.
A Crimson Hand follower, Aizen realized instantly.
I need to be careful.
But they passed through the gates.
Inside—warm sunlight, cheerful streets, bustling markets.
But beneath that brightness…
Aizen felt it.
Lyra felt it.
Even the kids sensed something was off.
The Kingdom had a strange chill, a subtle darkness under its cheerful mask.
Aizen whispered, "Stay close."
Finding the House
They searched around and eventually rented a spacious home.
"Six rooms, three bathrooms, large kitchen," Lyra counted. "Perfect."
Aizen inspected it. "This place… is cheaper and better than the one we had in the previous timeline…"
He looked at the rooms:
Room 1: Aizen
Room 2: Lyra
Room 3: Mikaela & Theodore
Room 4: Lina
Room 5: For the future—Amethyst and Crystal
Storage room
Kitchen
Bathrooms
It was comfortable. Safe-looking.
But Aizen's instincts screamed otherwise.
Something was wrong.
The Abduction
After unpacking:
Mikaela, Lina, and Aizen played outside.
Lyra stayed inside, helping Theo fix his shoes. Afterward, she sat on the chair, tired. Theo plopped on the floor near her, humming.
And that's when it happened.
Aizen froze mid-step outside.
His breath stopped.
His vision blurred.
His chest tightened violently.
"…Lyra…?"
He felt it—
Her mana signature vanished.
Erased.
Cut off.
His tracking spell on her—gone.
Theo's life force—gone.
A cold tremor shot down his spine.
No… no no—NOT NOW—NOT THIS SOON—
He sprinted toward the house.
Inside—
The room was empty.
The chair Lyra sat in was toppled.
Theo's shoe lay abandoned on the floor.
A faint symbol—Crimson Hand—burned on the wall before fading.
Aizen's pupils narrowed, golden light flashing violently.
His breath shook as he whispered—
"…They're back."
Mikaela and Lina rushed behind him.
"Papa? What happened?"
Aizen clenched his fists so tightly blood dripped from his palms.
"They're here."
His voice trembled—not with fear…
…but with rage.
"The Crimson Hand…"
He felt dozens of hostile presences in the city.
Watching.
Waiting.
Hunting his family.
And he knew exactly where their base was.
Deep underground.
Inside the royal castle.
The Kingdom of False Light.
---
End of Chapter 83