Chapter 5
Two months had passed since the elemental giant incident.
Poul had become a symbol of hope for humanity — his name was everywhere. Jay could barely step outside to play with other children without being surrounded by people and reporters.
The soldiers who had invaded Luis' house were never found. Even as the prime suspect, he was released due to lack of evidence. Now, Jay and Poul lived with Luis, Mary, and Kyrai — not out of necessity, but by choice.
Another morning dawned. The sun broke through the darkness, lighting the land again. Jay opened his eyes, his hair messy, the room still dim. He got up and tried to wake his friend.
"Come on, sleepyhead. It's morning already," Jay said, shaking her shoulder.
"Mmh… let me sleep a little longer, mommy," Kyrai murmured. "Just five more minutes…"
"I'm not your mother, Kyrai. Wake up."
He shook her again, but she didn't respond. "You leave me no choice."
Jay lifted the blanket, grabbed her foot, and started tickling her. Kyrai wriggled, mumbling — but didn't wake. When he increased the intensity, her reflex acted: a kick straight to his chin.
"WHAT THE HELL, KYRAI?! WAKE UP! ARE YOU A ROCK OR SOMETHING?!"
His scream finally stirred her.
"Ugh… you know I hate this," she complained.
"And you think I enjoy waking you up every single day?" he retorted angrily. Kyrai shot him a deadly glare.
"Go get ready for breakfast," Jay sighed, heading downstairs.
The smell of food filled the kitchen as usual. Luis, Poul, and Mary were already seated. Jay greeted them, sat down, and began eating, a book in hand.
"You really like reading, huh?" Luis remarked, surprised.
"Yes, I do," Jay replied calmly.
"'Like' isn't the word, it's an addiction," Poul laughed.
"Addiction? He's a book addict!" Jay just grimaced.
"Am I wrong, kid?"
"No."
"Then eat before it gets cold," Mary said warmly.
Mary was like a second mother to Jay. He loved her and wanted to make her proud. His real mother had died in front of him — horribly.
After breakfast, Jay passed Kyrai, who was descending the stairs with a scowl. He smiled faintly, which irritated her, but she restrained herself because of their parents.
Meanwhile, Poul, recognized even by King Valerius Adelio, was still a soldier. In two days, he would be promoted to captain. Before leaving, he hugged Mary, Kyrai, and finally, his most precious — his son.
Later, Jay was changing to go to the park. But something still tormented him — the memory of that day… the day he killed someone.
'I destroyed a family because of that choice… what if I'm becoming like them?'
He laughed bitterly.
'No. I'm still the same. People don't change overnight. They only change with time… with what the world does to them.'
Dressed, he grabbed his book and headed to the park.
At the training ground, Poul fought alongside other soldiers.
"Our future captain is tough, huh," one said, panting.
"Soon he'll be a royal knight!" said another.
"You're exaggerating," Poul laughed.
'All this just because I killed an elemental giant… "Slayer," really? Ridiculous.'
At the park, Jay read next to his friend Noa — who couldn't stop staring at Kyrai. Jay noticed and smirked.
'Looks like I'm turning into a cupid today.'
"Noa!"
The boy startled. "W-what's up, man?"
"You were gonna call me something else, weren't you?"
"N-no."
"Don't lie. You're in love with my adorable little sister."
"S-si… sister?!"
"Heart sister, idiot."
Jay leaned close. "Let's go to my house later. I have a plan to make her fall for you."
Noa blushed but nodded. They spent hours plotting — until night fell.
Jay said goodbye and started heading home. The streets were silent.
At first, he ignored the feeling of being followed… until the footsteps behind him quickened.
He turned left, then right — the shadow stayed.
He ran, screaming for help. A hand grabbed his arm, pressing a cloth over his mouth. Darkness.
When he opened his eyes, it was total darkness.
'I remember… walking home, and then… that masked man…'
'He killed me? No… I can't move. I'm tied up?'
A female voice whispered. "Hello, little one."
A tall woman appeared, ice-blue hair, red eyes, smiling disturbingly sweet.
"Where am I?" Jay asked.
"At my house," she said softly.
"What do you want from me?"
"What do I want?" Her smile twisted. "Sell you, of course. Son of a hero, elemental… very valuable."
Horror consumed Jay.
"We'll send a letter to your family. Poor things… the great hero couldn't save his own child."
He struggled against the ropes, in vain.
"Pathetic," she mocked. "Trapped in a child's body, powerless. Must be horrible."
Jay's blood ran cold. 'How does she know…?'
"You're wondering how I know, right?" she laughed. "Your behavior gave you away long ago. And your luck… simply awful."
She turned to her henchman. "Make him talk, Hombi. Three days."
"Yes, ma'am," the man replied, tense.
Hombi didn't want to hurt the boy, but had no choice.
"You're an elemental?"
"I… don't know."
When Jay refused to answer, Hombi sighed and grabbed pliers.
He slowly pulled out two of Jay's nails. Jay screamed.
"I warned you, kid," muttered Hombi.
Three days in hell. Jay lost all nails, fingers mutilated, body burned with white phosphorus. Every time, the woman — Saikopasu — healed him only to start again.
He only admitted being an elemental. Nothing more.
Meanwhile, Poul, Luis, and Mary searched desperately. Mary barely ate; Kyrai cried locked in her room.
One night, two officers knocked at the door.
"We have progress," said the elder. "Witnesses saw a man in a blue coat following the boy. Mask, hood… matches a criminal called Hombi."
Mary's hands trembled. "And… the rest?"
"We got a letter. They want a million lakqo. Three weeks, or he'll be sold as a slave."
Mary broke down in tears. Luis and Poul swore to rescue him, no matter the cost.
Back in captivity, Jay could barely breathe.
"Are you pure or impure, elemental?" Hombi asked again.
"I… don't know…"
The blazing staff touched his back, burning flesh and bone.
When the pain ended, Saikopasu entered. "Enough, Hombi. Now it's my turn."
Jay fell asleep from exhaustion. Then, a cold presence surrounded him.
Before him, a figure made of pure ice.
"Hello, little one," said the entity.
"Who… are you?"
"I'm Roh, the Ice Spirit — the source of your power."
"So I've awakened my abilities?"
"Not yet."
"Then why are you here?"
"To tell you the truth about yourself and your power."
Her voice grew dark. "You are almost completely impure. Only 12.5% of your body can handle elemental energy. And you're pretending to be calm now, aren't you… Gabriel?"
Jay's eyes widened. "How do you know that name?"
"I'm sealed inside you. I know everything about you."
Roh stared. "You promised never to kill again. Promised your father. But you broke that promise — again. You haven't changed."
The words cut deep.
"You're right…" Jay whispered. "I haven't changed. I am…"
"Pathetic," they said simultaneously.
Then came the pain — unbearable. Jay screamed. His arm went numb.
Saikopasu approached. "Tell me… pure or impure?"
He didn't respond. She broke his ankle.
She healed him again, slower this time. Jay saw a chance — he bit her neck, tearing flesh.
Before she could regenerate, he grabbed a knife from the toolbox and plunged it into her skull.
Silence.
For the first time in days, absolute silence.
"I love you even more for this," whispered a voice in his mind. "Every day, I go crazier for you."
Jay staggered into the snow. The cold cut his skin, but he kept walking.
'Is this punishment for my sins? I killed again… but she deserved it. It was right. Forgive me, Dad. I broke my promise again… and Runa… I was a terrible husband.'
The world blurred. He collapsed.
When he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital bed. Mary hugged him, crying.
"Forgive me, dear… forgive me for not protecting you."
Jay cried with her.
Days later, visitors came and went. But one question haunted him:
'Who am I? Jay… or Gabriel? A child in constant danger… or a broken young adult reborn?'
And then, like distant echoes, the faces of those he killed haunted him again.