Chapter 23
The forest grows quieter behind him.
Shin walks forward, leaving the Tree of Truth behind.
But its words remain.
Clear.
Unshakable.
"You must change people."
Shin exhales slowly.
"…Then I'll start with a kingdom."
His destination is already set.
The Kingdom of Zarion.
One of the few places rumored to accept different races.
A place where things… might already be different.
Or at least
Closer to what he believes in.
A Chance Encounter
The path ahead is calm.
Too calm.
Unti
"Hey! Wait!"
Shin stops and turns around.
A figure approaches quickly.
A half-human.
A fox-man.
Sharp ears, a tail swaying behind him, slightly out of breath.
He stops in front of Shin and smiles awkwardly.
"Uh… hello. My name is Lurien. And you are… human."
Shin looks at him calmly.
"…Shin."
A short pause.
Then Shin tilts his head slightly.
"What's wrong?"
Lurien scratches the back of his head.
"Well… I'm trying to get to Zarion."
Shin raises an eyebrow.
"And?"
Lurien sighs.
"The forest between here and Zarion… Libriolon…"
His expression turns serious.
"It neutralizes abilities."
Shin's eyes narrow slightly.
"…So you can't defend yourself."
Lurien nods.
"Exactly."
A short silence.
Then Lurien looks at him with a hopeful expression.
"…Could you take me with you?"
"…And protect me?"
Shin watches him for a moment.
Then
"…I'm going there anyway."
Lurien's face lights up instantly.
"Really?!"
"…Yes."
Lurien almost jumps in excitement.
"Thank you! Seriously, thank you!"
Shin turns and continues walking.
"…Don't slow me down."
Lurien grins and quickly follows.
"I won't!"
The Forest of Libriolon
The moment they enter the forest
The atmosphere changes.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Hot air mixes with sudden cold winds.
Strange sounds echo from all directions.
And just as Lurien said Their abilities feel… gone.
Silent.
Unreachable.
"Yeah… I hate this place," Lurien mutters.
Shin stays calm.
"Stay close."
The journey is brutal.
Wild beasts attack without warning.
The heat burns.
The ground shifts unpredictably.
At times, even breathing feels difficult.
Yet
They survive.
Barely.
Two days pass before they finally step out of the forest.
Lurien drops to his knees dramatically.
"I… never want to do that again."
Shin glances at him.
"…You're alive."
"That's the important part!" Lurien replies quickly.
A Reason to Move Forward
As they continue walking, Shin speaks.
"…Why Zarion?"
Lurien looks ahead.
"My family."
A soft smile appears on his face.
"My wife. My kids."
Shin's steps slow slightly.
"…I see."
So that's why…
His eyes flicker for a moment.
A memory.
A feeling.
Then
A small spark of hope.
"…Zarion really allows different races?"
Lurien shakes his head.
"Not exactly."
Shin looks at him.
"Then?"
Lurien smiles.
"It's not the king."
A pause.
"…It's his son."
Shin's eyes sharpen.
"…Zarion."
Lurien nods.
"Yeah."
Arrival at Zarion
The kingdom finally comes into view.
Large walls.
Guards at every entrance.
A structured, powerful city.
As they approach, the guards step forward.
"State your business."
Shin calmly presents his identification.
The guard checks it
And suddenly freezes.
His expression changes instantly.
"…You're… Shin?"
Shin says nothing.
The guard straightens immediately.
"I will escort you."
Lurien looks confused.
"…Should I be worried?"
Shin walks forward.
"…No."
A Warm Home
Before heading to the palace, Shin follows Lurien to his home.
The door opens.
A woman stands there.
Then
Shock.
Relief.
Emotion.
"Lurien!"
She rushes forward and hugs him tightly.
Two children run up behind her.
"Dad!"
Lurien laughs.
"I'm back, I'm back!"
He turns to Shin.
"This is Shin. He helped me."
The woman bows slightly.
"Thank you… for bringing him back."
The children look at Shin with admiration.
"Thank you, mister!"
Shin looks slightly uncomfortable.
"…It's nothing."
But for a moment
He stays.
Watching.
A family.
Together.
Safe.
Then he turns away.
"…I'm going."
Toward the Palace
The city is alive.
Different races.
Different people.
Talking.
Living.
Together.
Shin walks through the streets.
Observing.
Thinking.
Maybe… this is where it begins.
Near the palace, he approaches a soldier.
"…Where is Prince Zarion?"
The soldier looks at him.
"Who are you?"
Shin answers calmly.
"…Shin."
The reaction is immediate.
Shock.
Recognition.
"…I'll take you to him."
The Prince
They arrive at a quiet place.
A garden.
An apple tree stands in the center.
Leaning against it
A young man.
Relaxed.
Red-brown hair.
Violet eyes.
Simple clothes.
Calm presence.
Shin steps forward.
Stops.
Looks at him.
Then speaks.
"…Zarion."
What will Shin talk about with Zarion?