12 years ago

“Brother, wake up! Brother!” Eleanor’s voice pierced the tranquil silence of the morning, her tone carrying a mix of excitement and urgency.

“Huh?” Kael groaned, his voice thick with sleep as he stirred in his bed. His vision was blurry as he blinked away the haze of slumber, trying to make sense of the sudden interruption.

“Today is the day you get your element!” Eleanor’s face, bright with enthusiasm, appeared at the foot of his bed. Her eyes sparkled, like the stars that still lingered outside in the early morning sky, reflecting the joy that was practically radiating from her.

“My… element?” Kael mumbled, confused. For a moment, his sleep-addled brain struggled to grasp her words. But then, like a bolt of lightning, the realization hit him. Today is the day.

His body jolted upright as the fog of sleep lifted. His eyes widened, and the sleepiness that had clung to him vanished as excitement took its place. “Today’s the day!” he echoed, his voice now full of energy. A broad smile spread across his face as he kicked off the covers and jumped out of bed. He could hardly contain his enthusiasm—today wasn’t just any day; today was the day he would receive his element.

Eleanor giggled at her brother’s sudden burst of energy. “You nearly slept through it!” she teased, her laughter soft like the tinkling of wind chimes. But before Kael could respond, she twirled on her heel, her braid bouncing behind her as she dashed off to prepare herself for the ceremony. “I’ll see you soon!” she called over her shoulder, leaving Kael standing in the middle of his room, his heart racing with anticipation.

With the adrenaline now pumping through his veins, Kael wasted no time and hurried into the onsen—the royal bath, a sprawling hot spring nestled within the castle walls. Steam rose from the crystalline waters, filling the air with warmth and tranquility. The soothing heat enveloped him as he slipped into the water, but his mind was anything but calm. Today wasn’t just about him receiving an element. It was about becoming the future king, about the destiny that awaited him.

As Kael scrubbed and cleansed himself, his thoughts raced. His father, King Silversun, had long wielded the Fire Element, a power that had kept their kingdom strong. Kael had always known that one day, the mantle of responsibility would pass to him. The weight of that knowledge settled on his shoulders, though his excitement drowned out most of the nerves.

Would he receive the Fire Element, like so many before him in the royal family? Or would fate choose something different for him? The questions circled in his mind, but there was no time to dwell on them. The ceremony would begin soon.

Outside, in the grand ceremonial hall, the kingdom of Ethereal Vale was buzzing with anticipation. The towering marble arches of the hall gleamed under the sunlight that streamed through the stained glass windows, casting brilliant colors across the polished stone floor. The air was electric, filled with whispers of excitement. Hundreds of people had gathered, nobles and commoners alike, all eager to witness the moment when Prince Kael would receive his element. The Elemental Fountain stood at the center of it all—a breathtaking structure made of sparkling crystal and marble, where the magic of their world seemed to flow from the heart of the kingdom itself.

Among the crowd sat the Winfusion family, their name known for their ambitions in the neighboring kingdom. Beyor Winfusion, a brooding thirteen-year-old boy with raven-black hair and cold, calculating eyes, sat watching, a scowl etched onto his face. Beyor’s dark gaze flickered toward the doors where Kael and his sister would soon appear. His hatred for Kael simmered beneath the surface, fueled by jealousy and resentment. He had long desired to marry Eleanor, Kael’s beautiful sister, believing that through her, he could secure power and rise to the throne of Ethereal Vale. But as long as Kael stood in his way, his ambitions remained just out of reach.

“If he obtains the Fire Element…” Beyor growled under his breath, his fists clenched in his lap, “he’ll become the next king, and marrying Eleanor will mean nothing.” His voice was barely above a whisper, but the venom in his words was palpable.

At his side stood his assistant, a sinister-looking man with jet-black hair, piercing red eyes, and a sharp smile that never reached his eyes. He placed his hand on Beyor’s shoulder, leaning down to whisper. “Do not worry,” he said smoothly, his tone dripping with confidence. “I’ve already made arrangements.”

Beyor glanced at him, frowning in confusion. “What do you mean?”

The assistant’s lips curled into a wicked grin. “He will not be receiving the Fire Element, I can promise you that.”

A slow, satisfied smirk spread across Beyor’s face, his earlier fury melting away. He chuckled quietly to himself. “Then it’s only a matter of time before Eleanor is mine. No… she’ll be the jewel of my harem.” His quiet laughter blended into the murmurs of the crowd as they continued to wait for the royal siblings to appear.

Back in the changing room, Kael was adjusting his ceremonial suit in front of a mirror. The black fabric shimmered in the light, the deep blue accents perfectly complementing the brilliant blue of his eyes. The suit was tailored to perfection, every stitch symbolizing the honor and responsibility he would soon carry as the future king. His reflection stared back at him, a mixture of nerves and excitement swirling in his stomach.

In the adjacent room, Eleanor was putting on the final touches of her own attire. As Kael’s right hand for the ceremony, she was an essential part of the ritual, chosen to stand beside him as he received his element. When she emerged from the dressing room, it was as if the room itself paused in awe. Her long white gown flowed elegantly around her like a river of silk, the hem embroidered with silver vines and flowers that shimmered with every step she took. The bodice was adorned with delicate gemstones that sparkled in the light, catching the eyes of everyone who saw her. Her golden hair, now unbound and cascading down her back, gleamed like sunlight, and her regal posture made her appear almost otherworldly.

When Kael finally saw her, even he had to stop for a moment, stunned by her beauty. The crown of their people could not have had a better princess to lead them.

As they stood at the door, waiting for the ceremony to begin, the soft hum of the crowd reached their ears. “It’s time,” someone from the audience whispered.

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Music began to swell through the hall, a grand melody that echoed through the air. The heavy curtains parted slowly, revealing the Elemental Fountain (Fortune Element) at the center of the hall, its waters shimmering with ethereal light. The crowd fell into a hush as Kael and Eleanor stepped forward, the massive doors opening before them.

As they walked down the aisle, the crowd erupted into cheers. “King Kael!” they shouted, voices filled with admiration and hope. Kael smiled and waved, his confidence growing with every step. Beside him, Eleanor walked gracefully, her gown flowing like a river of stars behind her. The cheers for her were just as loud, if not louder.

“She’s so beautiful!” one person exclaimed from the crowd, their eyes wide in awe.

“Princess Eleanor!” the crowd chanted, their voices joining the cheers for Kael.

At last, they reached the Elemental Fountain, where the ceremony master stood waiting, a heavy book in hand. He raised his voice, the words booming through the hall. “Today, we are gathered here to witness the elemental awakening of Prince Silversun Kael!” The crowd erupted into cheers once more, their energy almost palpable.

The ceremony master held out a small cup of water drawn from the fountain’s sacred pool. “Upon receiving his element, the kingdom shall grow in power. We, as one united force, will rise to greater heights. Now, Kael, drink from the cup.”

The crowd fell silent, the tension thick in the air as all eyes turned to Kael. He took the cup, his heart pounding in his chest. The water felt cool in his hand as he slowly raised it to his lips. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, their excitement building with every second.

“Drink it!” someone shouted from the audience, and soon the whole hall was chanting. “Drink it! Drink it!”

Kael drank.

For a moment, nothing happened.

But then, a strange sensation washed over him. His body trembled, his vision blurred, and his legs felt weak, as if the ground beneath him was slipping away. He swayed on his feet, struggling to maintain his balance. What’s happening?

The crowd gasped in shock as they witnessed Kael struggling but somehow staying upright. Normally, when someone receives an elemental power, they faint from the overwhelming surge of energy—especially if the element is strong. The only time someone doesn’t collapse is when they receive a low-class element, which requires less energy for the body to process. Most people faint at eight years old, as their bodies are still too weak to handle the power, needing at least 24 hours of rest afterward.

Beyor and his assistant exchanged knowing smirks. They had anticipated this outcome, and their satisfaction was clear. Kael’s lack of fainting was unusual, and it made the crowd stir with uncertainty. Something felt off.

But King Silversun, sitting tall on his throne, broke the silence with a booming laugh, covering his own suspicion. “Impossible! My son is the first in the family to not faint after receiving the Fire Element!” His voice echoed with pride, even as doubt flickered in his eyes.

The crowd, following their king’s lead, erupted into cheers. To them, it was nothing short of a miracle. Kael, still standing, smiled weakly at the roaring crowd. Beside him, Eleanor’s face beamed with pride, her joy shining even brighter than the crystals of her gown.

“King Kael! King Kael!” the people chanted, their voices swelling with admiration and excitement.

The mood turned festive as music filled the air, and the people began to dance and celebrate. To everyone, it seemed like a perfect ending—a triumphant moment that marked the start of Kael’s bright future.

But for Kael, as he watched the scene unfold, something gnawed at him deep inside. Was this really a happy ending? Or was something darker at play?

The next morning, Kael was still in a deep sleep, unaware of the storm about to break through his door. Suddenly, loud, aggressive banging echoed through his room.

"Open the doors!" a voice commanded with authority. Before Kael could fully wake, the door burst open, splintering as the royal guards forced their way in.

"Leave him alone, please!" Eleanor’s voice rang out, thick with desperation. She stood between the guards and her brother, her face streaked with tears, her body trembling.

One of the guards, a tall, cold-eyed man, sneered as he stepped forward. "Princess Eleanor, I've received direct orders from the king. If necessary, I am allowed to strike you in order to bring your brother in."

Eleanor froze, horror flooding her features. She couldn’t believe it—her own father had given such an order. The idea that the king would have her harmed, just to get to Kael, felt like a dagger twisting in her heart.

Kael, groggy from sleep, was startled awake by the chaos. He stumbled out of bed, his mind still trying to catch up. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice thick with confusion.

Before he could comprehend what was happening, one of the guards stepped forward and, without warning, slammed a fist into Kael’s gut. The blow knocked the air out of him, sending him crashing to the floor. His vision blurred as darkness closed in, and the last thing he heard was Eleanor’s scream echoing in his ears.

Time passed. Kael slowly regained consciousness, but everything felt... wrong. His body ached, his head throbbed, and as his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he realized he was lying on a cold, hard stone. Disoriented, he pushed himself up and saw bars surrounding him. He was in a cell—the underground prison beneath the royal palace.

His thoughts were sluggish, and he couldn’t piece together what had happened. He rubbed his aching head, trying to recall the events that led him here.

A guard approached, carrying a tray of food—if it could even be called that. The tray held a small, unappetizing lump of stale bread and a thin bowl of murky liquid.

"Ah, finally awake," the guard said gruffly, sliding the tray through the bars. "Here’s your breakfast."

Kael blinked in confusion, his voice rough as he demanded, "Wait! Why am I here?"

The guard raised an eyebrow, almost amused. "They didn’t tell you? You’re a disgrace to the family, that’s why. The king’s orders are to keep you locked up until he decides what to do with you."

Kael’s heart sank. "A disgrace? What are you talking about?" His mind raced as panic crept in.

The guard smirked and replied coldly, "That element you got at the ceremony—the electric element. It’s proof that you’re no longer worthy of the throne."

The words hit Kael like a bolt of lightning. "Electric... element?" he repeated, his voice trembling. He staggered back, disbelief washing over him. The electric element? But he was supposed to have inherited the Fire Element—just like his ancestors!

The guard, uninterested in Kael’s distress, turned and walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Kael’s heart raced, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Tears welled in his eyes as reality sunk in. Why did this happen? Why had he inherited a different element? He was supposed to be the heir to the throne, destined to control the flames of his kingdom! With a sob, he slammed his fist against the stone wall of his cell, over and over, until his knuckles bled.

"Hey," a mocking voice called from the shadows of the prison corridor.

Kael looked up, his body still shaking. A man with a sinister grin stepped into the dim light, laughing under his breath.

"Enjoying your new element?" the man sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. He laughed again, and Kael’s blood ran cold.

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Present: Guild of Aquoria

Ichirou, now living as Kael, felt his heart stop as his eyes locked onto the man standing before him. Recognition hit him like a tidal wave, a rush of memories from a life he thought he’d left behind. Everything suddenly made sense—the ceremony, the strange power he’d gained, the betrayal.

His vision tunneled, and time seemed to blur as his mind was thrust into the past. He remembered it all: the moment Beyor’s assistant had intervened in his life, the sickening smell that always accompanied him, the man’s sinister smile. His hands clenched into fists, trembling with the fury that now surged through him.

"You… You’re Beyor’s assistant!" Ichirou's voice rose in anger, his mind finally catching up to the realization. "How could I ever forget you?" His breath quickened as the truth sank in, his voice trembling with rage. "You’re not Bird Phoenix… how could I ever forget what you did?"

It wasn't just the man’s appearance—it was the smell. That unforgettable stench from years ago, seared into his memory like a scar, gave him away. This man standing before him might look like Bird Phoenix, but Kael knew the truth now.

The guild members around them stood frozen in shock. They had all believed this man was Bird Phoenix, but now they were witnessing the unraveling of a terrible secret. Whispers filled the room as all eyes turned toward the impostor—the man who had orchestrated Kael’s downfall from the shadows.