Beyond the twisting, dense forest of Middlepass’s western wing, on a vast emerald steppe, a colossal mountain descended.
Its scales gleamed black as ink, bristling with jagged spines. Its eyes burned with a sickly, predatory green light. Its maw parted slightly, revealing fangs long enough to pierce stone. The wings of this mountainous creature spread wide, casting a vast obsidian blanket over the verdant plains.
A man with the stature of a lesser, mortal mountain touched down on the ground. Despite his imposing size, his weight was feather-light, his footsteps utterly silent.
He sighed, scratching beneath his jaw where stubble pricked and irritated him, his wild mane of ashen hair billowing in the wind as he strode forward.
A slightly masculine but honeyed voice drifted through the air. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
The man slowly lowered his hand and turned left, studying the figure standing at the steppe’s edge where it sloped downhill.
"Hmm, I don’t know... he’s tough to read, but he seems sharp, with cunning eyes. At the same time, he’s handsome too—spitting image of the Patriarch in his youth. There’s deviousness in those eyes... though the brat masks it well. But does it matter? He’s a bastard and, worse yet, he has no talent for Severance arts or Weaving. Better off born in some pacifist country."
The man shook his head.
"He seems to possess a mind built for our world but a body and soul that were not. Why trouble yourself with him?"
The man at the steppe’s edge smiled grimly, his obsidian eyes sweeping across the vast, seemingly endless Middlepass. He toyed with a flower he’d plucked from the grass, crushing it while waiting for the Commander.
The Commander of Red Sky responded reluctantly.
"Yes, Shadow Commander."
The man turned and opened his palm, letting the cool evening breeze carry away the crushed purple petals.
"Why do you think he wants to attend the grand academy? A reckless child brimming with hope? Or a determined soul fated to shatter the chains of his destiny?"
The Commander of Red Sky studied the pale-faced man from head to toe with a incredulous expression.
"Honestly, I think you’re deluding yourself. The boy is worthless—that’s that. Don’t expect anything extraordinary."
He exhaled sharply and turned to mount his wyvern, then seemed to remember something. He glanced back over his shoulder, fixing the man with a stern scowl.
"And don’t you dare offer him any assistance... I’ll ensure I discover it and report everything to the Patriarch."
The man lazily raised his hands in surrender.
"I couldn’t even if I wanted to... the Patriarch is too terrifying."
He dropped his hands and smiled genuinely. Despite his pallid complexion and sinister eyes, he was devastatingly handsome! His pitch-black layered robes only heightened his intimidating presence.
"...but you’re right—perhaps, I am deluding myself. But I do want to see him shatter the chains of destiny, as I was unable to..."
He murmured the last part under his breath, watching with lifeless indifference as the Commander of Red Sky mounted his flight beast.
The wind howled violently as the creature soared upward, its oppressive weight rocketing away into the vast sky above the endless Middlepass plains.
He gazed into the crystalline blue sky for a moment and sighed before dissolving into wisps of black smoke.
"Really? That’s all?"
Kage lowered his head politely.
"Yes, Mother. That’s all."
She fell silent for a moment. Then she sighed, her shoulders slumping as all tension drained from her frame.
A somber, compassionate expression overtook her features.
"And why didn’t you tell me any of this?"
Kage’s hands rested on his knees, his face downcast, his heart hammering.
’Damn it—her piercing gaze still freezes me to my core. Living to forty-five certainly didn’t change that!’
How could he explain to his mother that despite his cursed fate, he wanted to thrive? That he wanted to fight? That he had lived an entire life without her and refused to endure another!
"Do you think I wouldn’t understand?"
Kage slowly raised his head, stunned by the words that fell from her lips.
"You think I’ll be overprotective and refuse to let you venture into that vile world because everyone claims you’re inept and a misbegotten child of the clan."
Kage tilted his head slightly, absorbing her words.
She clenched her trembling hands.
"It hurts far more to be kept in darkness by the only person I trust in this world. It means you don’t trust me, Ardyn, and that cuts deeper than a blade. I don’t care what you want to do or how you plan to do it. If you believe in yourself, then I will believe in you. Come what may, Ardyn, I will always believe... so promise me—no more secrets, especially not ones ."
Kage’s mind went blank, staring into his mother’s gentle, warm violet eyes.
Then he felt the cold touch of liquid against his cheek.
With vacant eyes, Kage touched his cheek and stared at his fingertips.
Meanwhile, his mother noticed the tears and startled.
"Oh, my dear, did I say something to wound you? Are you all right?"
Kage looked at her, bewildered for a heartbeat, then laughter suddenly bubbled from his lips.
Of course! Of course! How could he forget his mother’s good-natured, ever stalwart support? His mother was his greatest champion, his foundation! She was the reason for everything.
And now that he was here again, she remained the reason for everything.
Kage offered her a tender smile and bowed his head respectfully.
"I apologize, Mother. I’m sorry for keeping you in the shadows about this. And thank you for trusting me."
He rose from his chair and moved to hers, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
"I love you, Mother."
Lady Renka smiled at him, her eyes radiating a brilliance that put the setting sun to shame.
"I’m the luckiest woman alive to be blessed with such a wonderful son. So, what will you do now?"
Kage gazed at her with a warm smile, then sighed and glanced toward the balcony of her room, watching as the sun sank beyond the tree-lined horizon.
"Obviously, slaughter a lot of Impures."