"I'm glad I found you here…"
The mist stirred as the Heaven's Lord stepped forward.
"Oh? What an honor," a voice replied with a light smile. "What brings the Heaven's Lord all the way here?"
The Heaven's Lord's gaze sharpened as he took another step closer.
"It's been a long time since I last saw you."
The mist shifted.
"…The God of Wind."
A faint laugh escaped the fog.
"Yeah. It really has been a long time."
Though his face remained hidden, his tone suddenly turned serious.
"But I doubt the Heaven's Lord came all this way just to reminisce."
A pause.
His voice softened again, almost playful.
"After all, you're far too busy for that."
The Heaven's Lord exhaled slowly.
"You're as unpredictable as ever."
Why can I never read what's going on in his head?
He probably knew I was coming long before I arrived.
"Hello, hello, dear Lord," the God of Wind said cheerfully.
"Are you thinking about me?"
"…I lost myself in thought," the Heaven's Lord replied calmly.
"Oh, that's fine," the god said lightly.
The Heaven's Lord frowned inwardly.
His tone, his personality—he changes them in an instant.
Every question about him leaves me with more doubts than answers.
"I came to speak about something important," the Heaven's Lord said aloud.
"If you have the time."
"Of course," the God of Wind replied with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"I have all the time in the world for our dear Lord. So—what is it you wish to discuss?"
The Heaven's Lord's expression hardened.
"Are you watching over her children?"
A laugh echoed through the mist.
"Dear Lord, I'm not a babysitter."
"You know exactly what I mean," the Heaven's Lord said coldly.
The God of Wind's voice lost its humor.
"…I am keeping an eye on them."
The Heaven's Lord closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
"So I was right."
"I suppose you were," the god replied with a faint smile.
What am I supposed to do with this man?
What is he really planning?
"I'm not planning anything," the God of Wind said casually, interrupting his thoughts.
The Heaven's Lord's eyes widened slightly.
"…How did you—"
"You're something I will never fully understand," the Heaven's Lord said after a pause.
A playful tone returned.
"See? I'm impressive."
"That's all I needed to ask," the Heaven's Lord said.
"I'll be taking my leave."
"As you wish, dear Lord."
The Heaven's Lord turned away—then stopped.
"One more thing," he said quietly.
"How is he?"
The God of Wind's voice turned serious once more.
"…He's fine."
The Heaven's Lord walked on.
Why did I ask, when I already knew the answer?
He says he's fine… but everyone knows he isn't.
"I'm sorry, boy," he thought.
"I truly am."
The mist shifted again.
The God of Wind stood silently, gazing downward.
Aaki.
"He is in pain as well," he murmured.
"But everything is proceeding… exactly as it should."
Back at the Palace
Miyuna stood by the window, her eyes fixed on the garden below.
"Something isn't right," she murmured.
"Aaki's desperation for revenge has grown stronger."
She clenched her fingers slightly.
"His emotions are starting to take control. He's thinking only of revenge… not the consequences."
Her gaze hardened.
"Gods and knights are not enemies you can defeat recklessly."
A quiet breath escaped her lips.
"If he loses control, he'll be manipulated… just like his sister was."
She glanced toward the training grounds.
"For now, the prince and princess come first."
The Next Morning
Aaki arrived at the training area with the prince and princess—only to find Miyuna already waiting.
"Big Sis is already here?" the prince said, eyes wide.
"And… those clothes?"
"I've never seen her dress like that," the princess added.
"We're starting training today," Miyuna said calmly.
"So I returned to my old look."
"You look amazing!" the prince said instantly.
"Let's begin," Aaki said.
Miyuna raised her hand. A sphere of condensed snow formed in the air.
"Prince," she said. "Break it. With a punch."
The prince scoffed inwardly. It's just a snow bubble.
He stepped forward and struck it—
CRACK.
"AAGH!"
He staggered back, clutching his wrist.
"I— I broke my wrist! What is this?!"
Miyuna's eyes were sharp.
"That is your first lesson. Never underestimate your opponent."
She pointed at the bubble.
"You thought it was fragile. That mistake injured you."
Aaki healed the prince's wrist and frowned.
"That's no ordinary snow. It's harder than stone."
He created two more bubbles.
"Break these. Both of you."
The siblings swallowed.
"Cheer up," Miyuna said lightly.
"This is just the beginning."
If this is the beginning… both thought in horror.
They trained all day—failing again and again, wrists breaking, healing, and breaking once more.
"Enough," Aaki said finally.
"You couldn't even crack them," he continued coldly.
"Is this how you plan to grow stronger?"
"They're impossible!" the prince protested.
Aaki stepped forward and shattered both bubbles with a single punch.
Silence.
"So," he asked, "are they still impossible?"
"No!" the siblings shouted. "We'll break them no matter what!"
"Good," Aaki said, turning away.
Miyuna followed him.
"I don't remember you being this harsh."
"I'm not being harsh," Aaki replied.
"They need this."
She stopped in front of him and met his eyes.
"The Aaki I know wouldn't speak like that."
He froze.
"…I'm sorry," he said quietly. "Miyuna."
She sat beside him.
"I know you're desperate for revenge. But don't lose yourself in it."
Her voice softened.
"I'm with you. We'll take revenge—together. But only if you keep control."
She placed a hand over his.
"You must control those flames inside you."
"…You're right," Aaki said after a moment.
Later that night, as the wind stirred the palace gardens—
A presence watched silently.