The night air in Gizana's narrow streets was cold and restless.
Pierce and Kain walked side by side, their arms aching as they carried the unconscious Aaron between them. For nearly two hours, they had searched for a carriage, but the roads were empty—only the faint glow of lanterns and the echo of their footsteps kept them company.
Pierce sighed. "We can't keep wandering like this. We need a place to stay, even for tonight."
Kain glanced at him, his brow furrowed in thought. "What about Droby's place? He owes me a favor—and he never turns guests away."
Pierce nodded. "Then let's not waste time."
The two trudged through the dim-lit streets until they reached a small sweets shop tucked between two worn brick buildings. To their surprise, the door was unlocked, and the faint scent of caramel drifted through the air.
"Droby?" Pierce called out.
A cheerful voice answered from behind the counter. "Pierce! Kain! By the gods, it's been ages! What brings you here this late?"
Pierce managed a tired smile. "We need a place to stay for the night. Just one night."
Droby's eyes fell on Aaron's still form. "He all right?"
"Just asleep," Kain lied quickly. "Rough day."
Droby nodded in understanding. "Then say no more. My home is yours."
He led them upstairs, showing Pierce and Kain to a small guest room, and Aaron to another. Within minutes, the quiet of sleep wrapped around the house.
---
Aaron opened his eyes to find himself somewhere... else.
The place was endless—a shimmering expanse of calm water reflecting infinite stars. He looked down, realizing he stood atop the surface without sinking.
"This place again..." he muttered. "Why am I back here?"
He began walking, ripples forming beneath his feet, his reflection wavering like smoke. Time felt still, unreal. After what felt like hours, he stopped and sat down, staring at the endless horizon.
"Maybe I'll name this place," he whispered to himself. "The Watered Sky Beyond… yeah, that sounds right."
He lay back on the mirrored surface, closing his eyes. Three seconds later, when he opened them again, he was staring at the ceiling of a small bedroom.
Kain and Pierce were slumped on chairs beside him, both asleep.
"Kain…" he croaked.
Kain jerked awake. "Aaron?! You're awake!" He turned to Pierce. "Sir Pierce! He's awake!"
Pierce blinked and rose from his chair, relief spreading across his face. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit dizzy," Aaron admitted, "but fine."
"Good," Pierce said, nodding. "You scared us."
Aaron looked around. "Where are we?"
Kain stretched. "At Droby's place. The sweets guy."
Aaron frowned. "The sweets guy?"
Kain chuckled. "Yeah. You missed quite the mess in the Queen's Castle."
Pierce and Aaron exchanged looks, and Kain explained everything—how they escaped the queen's soldiers, how Aaron's flame turned blue, and how the power within him had awakened.
Pierce went silent for a moment, then said softly, "Blue Flame… that's rare. I thought that lineage was extinct for over a decade."
Aaron blinked. "Extinct?"
Pierce didn't answer right away. His gaze drifted away, thoughtful and heavy.
---
The next morning, after a hearty meal and goodbyes to Droby, the trio boarded a carriage back to their temporary home. As the wheels rolled through the cobbled streets, Pierce spoke quietly.
"We won't stay in Gizana for long," he said. "We'll move to my family's old estate in Gaity. It's safer there—the queen's eyes can't reach us."
Aaron looked at him, surprised. "Your family's estate?"
Pierce nodded with a faint smile. "It's… a good place for a new beginning."
The ride was long, and by the time they arrived, the sun hung low, painting the world in amber. The house that stood before them was enormous—four floors, each gleaming with age and grace. The outer yard held a vast training hall that dwarfed the one they had in Gizana.
"This place is… amazing," Aaron whispered, eyes wide.
Pierce laughed softly. "You'll get used to it."
He assigned the rooms: Aaron would stay on the second floor, Kain on the third, and himself on the fourth. The three of them spent the rest of the day cleaning, organizing, and preparing for their new life.
By evening, the house felt alive again. The scent of Kain's cooking filled the halls, and the sound of laughter echoed faintly through the rooms.
Aaron leaned back in his chair, smiling to himself. It's strange… I never felt this peaceful in Takuba.
---
The next day, Pierce and Kain stood by the front door, preparing to leave. Aaron appeared behind them, confused.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
Pierce's tone was calm. "To visit an old friend. We'll be back by nightfall."
Kain placed a firm hand on Aaron's shoulder. "Listen, whatever happens—don't open the Blue Basement. No matter what reason you think you have."
Aaron forced a smile. "Yeah, sure. I won't."
But behind his back, his fingers crossed.
As soon as the door shut, his grin widened. "Hehe… they'll never know. I'll just take a quick look."
---
The Blue Basement door stood at the end of a dim corridor, cold air seeping from the cracks. Aaron's heart pounded as he turned the handle. The door groaned open, unleashing a gust of freezing wind that almost knocked him backward.
He stepped inside.
The room smelled of old steel and forgotten dust. Ancient weapons lay scattered across the floor; shelves of books lined the walls, their titles faded with time. Among them, a small chest sat near a stack of scrolls.
Aaron looked around, then approached it cautiously.
"What's in here…?" he whispered.
He opened the chest.
A blinding light burst out, swallowing his vision.
---
When his sight returned, he stood in a green valley bathed in sunlight. A small village lay ahead, its people smiling, children running with laughter. The peace was overwhelming… until the sky turned red.
In an instant, the village was burning. Screams filled the air. Smoke choked the sky. Bodies fell where moments ago there had been joy.
Aaron stumbled backward, trembling. "What is this—?!"
Then came the roar.
A monstrous creature, over two meters tall, with black scales and burning eyes, crushed a man beneath its claws. It turned toward Aaron.
He froze. The creature lunged.
Aaron screamed—and opened his eyes to find himself back in the basement, gasping for air. He was drenched in sweat, heart pounding like a drum.
"What… was that?" he muttered.
He grabbed the chest, still faintly glowing, and spotted a few books on a nearby shelf: The History of Maro and Its Secrets, and The Legend of the Six Continents. He took them both, shut the door behind him, and hurried upstairs.
---
That night, when Kain and Pierce returned, Aaron greeted them as if nothing had happened.
"How was your visit?" he asked, feigning curiosity.
"Good," Pierce replied. "And you?"
"Fine," Aaron lied. "Just resting."
He hurried to his room before they could ask more.
As he collapsed on his bed, his thoughts spun.
That creature… that village… Was it real? Was it connected to me somehow?
He exhaled heavily. "No. I'm overthinking. I just need some sleep."
Downstairs, Kain frowned. "He's acting strange."
Pierce nodded. "He is."
Kain asked quietly, "Should we tell him he's been accepted into Gaity Academy?"
"Not yet," Pierce said. "Let him rest. The time will come."
The two men exchanged knowing looks, then disappeared into their rooms.
The lights in the house dimmed, leaving only the sound of the wind brushing against the windows—and somewhere above, Aaron slept uneasily, unaware that the secrets he had awakened were only beginning to unfold.