The Dreamscape
Nero floated in a void of fractured light—gold and crimson swirling like spilled ink. A voice echoed, sharp and mocking.
"You nearly got us all killed, you reckless fool."
Nero spun, fists clenched. "Who's there?!"
A shadow coalesced atop a throne of jagged obsidian. Its voice dripped with disdain. "You. Me. We're the same. And you're running out of time."
Before Nero could retort, the world dissolved into blinding white.
Awakening
The sterile scent of herbs stung Nero's nostrils. His mother, Luna, slumped asleep beside his bed, her hand gripping his like a lifeline.
"Mom…" Nero croaked.
Luna jolted awake, tears streaking her face. "You promised!" she choked, pulling him into a crushing embrace. "You promised you'd stay!"
Nero winced as pain flared in his ribs. Blood speckled his lips. "Just… scratches," he lied.
The door slammed open.
King Fernando strode in, his armor clanking. "No formalities, boy," he barked, though his eyes softened. "You saved my daughter. Name your reward."
Nero's mind blanked. A wish? He glanced at Luna—her weary smile, the gray threading her hair. What's worth more than her peace?
"I… need time," Nero said.
The king nodded. "But remember—nothing is beyond my reach."
The Princess and the Lie
Ayumi burst into the room moments later, her silver braids unraveling. "Nero!" She flung herself at him, burying her face in his shoulder.
"Your Highness—!" Nero stiffened, acutely aware of her warmth. Gods, if the king walks in…
Ledger leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "Arrest him for treason, Your Highness. The penalty for touching royalty is death."
Nero grabbed a pillow and hurled it. "Not funny!"
Ayumi giggled, but her smile faded as Ledger activated a silence spell. "We're being hunted," he said bluntly. "Someone broke into the academy's vault before you did, Princess. That clavit was planted."
Nero's blood chilled. "Who?"
Ledger's eyes glowed—Eyes of Veracity. "Someone who knows your soul's purity. And wants it gone."
The Duel
The training grounds reeked of sweat and fear. Kenta Sensei—a mountain of muscle with a grin like a wolf—pointed at Nero. "You. Fight Keisuke."
The noble sneered. "I'll use one hand. Wouldn't want to break you."
Nero sighed. Arrogant prick.
Keisuke lunged, fists blazing with fire Qi. Nero sidestepped, his vision sharpening. Touch of Purity—a technique that laid bare the soul's flaws.
There. A flicker of rot in Keisuke's energy.
Nero struck—a single tap to the noble's chest. Keisuke crumpled, his magic unraveling like frayed thread.
The class erupted. "Cheater!"
Nero crossed his arms. "His soul was clogged with greed. I cleaned it."
Kenta Sensei's grin widened. "Interesting. Almost like someone I heard… roasted a Vaspa Clavit."
Nero's pulse spiked. Play dumb. "Must've been Ledger."
Shadows Gather
That night, Ledger crept into the High Priest's forbidden archives. Dusty scrolls whispered of genocide:
"KILL PRIMORDIAL'S DESCENDANTS."
"DARKNESS MUST LIVE."
Footsteps echoed. Ledger vanished into the shadows as a hooded figure entered, murmuring to the air:
"Test Nero Almik again. But keep him alive. The Gates must open…"
Epilogue: The Weight of Blood
Nero lay awake, Ayumi's pendant warm in his palm. The voice from his dream hissed:
"You think you saved them? You're just a pawn. And pawns… get sacrificed."
Outside his window, a crow with glowing red eyes watched.