Meanwhile, during Rey's years of training…
His parents, Luck and Mira, had always been proud of their son's curious and adventurous spirit. But as days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years without a single word from Rey—or the school they had entrusted with his future—their pride slowly turned into gnawing fear.
Rey had vanished without a trace.
One evening, Mira stood by the window, her hands resting on her swollen belly. "Luck," she said quietly, "we need to go look for him. We've waited long enough."
"But you're pregnant," Luck replied, concern thick in his voice.
"I know," she said, turning to him, determination burning in her eyes. "But if we keep sitting here, waiting, our son might never come back. We have to try."
Luck hesitated… then nodded. "We leave at sunrise."
The next morning, they began their journey—two desperate parents chasing fading shadows across unfamiliar lands. They searched far and wide, crossing city borders and kingdom lines, questioning strangers and chasing every glimmer of hope.
But every lead turned cold.
Every hope, crushed.
Their determination never wavered, but Mira's time came during a stop in the peaceful mountain city of Campbell. She gave birth to a baby boy — Rey's younger brother.
They named him Arinn.
Thankfully, Mira's elder brother, Lamal, lived in Campbell. Upon hearing their story, he offered to care for the child while they continued their search.
With tears in her eyes, Mira kissed her newborn goodbye. "We will find your brother," she whispered.
And then, they were gone again—climbing mountains, braving scorching deserts, wandering deep forests, and walking across storm-battered plains. Every whisper, every strange tale, every sign — they followed it all.
Four long years passed.
And still, no sign of Rey.
Until, one day, everything changed.
They were scaling a steep mountain trail, the wind howling like a beast, snow whipping across their faces. The path was narrow and slippery. Suddenly, Mira's foot slid.
"Mira!" Luck shouted.
She stumbled. He reached for her, catching her just in time — but the snow beneath him gave way.
They fell.
The world spun. Screams echoed. The cold bit deep. Then—
Light.
A strange, shimmering portal appeared beneath them, just before they hit the ground. It opened, swallowing them whole.
They tumbled through silence and color, landing gently inside a massive, radiant chamber. The walls shimmered with symbols and light, glowing with a power neither of them had ever seen.
At the far end of the room sat a figure — tall, robed, and unmoving — seated upon a throne carved of crystal and shadow.
Luck instinctively stepped in front of Mira. "He doesn't look human… stay back."
The figure slowly raised its head.
And for the first time in years… something answered them back.