Reigies sat on his bed with a smile on his face as he listened to his sister ramble about how her day had went yesterday. He had just awakened a few hours ago and was surprised to see a black leopard lying beside him on his bed. It turns out to be that wolf that had somehow saved them that night. Emily had explained to him that it was a shapeshifting creature. A rare existence in the kingdom or even in the whole continent. However, something had bothered him. Its presence would somehow remind him of someone from his past lifetime. He just couldn't remember who. He tried remembering but as he did, he had noticed how his memories from before he had regressed are now cloudy unlike when he had first awoken in this timeline.

"Brother? Are you alright?" Catherine waved her hand in front of Reigies.

"Oh." He gave her a smile. "Of course I am."

"I see. You seem to be troubled. Are you sure?"

Reigies nodded. "I assure you that I'm fine. I just feel a bit drained."

A knock on the door followed by it opening made the sibling turn their head towards its direction. Requiel, in his usual formal outfit, came in followed by a physician. It was not the same physician that had come to check up on him when he woke up.

"I hope I wasn't interupting both of you." Requiel couldn't help but smile at the warm scene before him. He still couldn't get used to seeing these two together, not to mention in Reigies' room. Reigies used to hate the idea of Catherine being near his room, how much more if she entered it.

"Not really." Reigies replied. "What brings you here, father?" He then glanced at the physician behind his father.

"Can't I visit my son who's not in his greatest condition?"

Reigies averted his gaze. For some reason, he somehow felt awkward. Until now, he wasn't used to seeing that warm gaze his father was giving him. Or at least he wasn't used to having a clear vision as to how his father really looks at him. Back when before he had regressed, all he saw was his father's strict demanour and cold eyes. It was an image he had built in his mind. His anger and hatred towards his father had clouded his judgement that he couldn't see clearly what was in front of him. The guilt he once had, now started surging within him.

Seeing how his son had averted his gaze and pursed his lips made Requiel's heart ache. He knew... He knew very well how his son was yet to forgive him. He was yet to open his heart to him again. Still, Requiel was fine with it. This was his karma. A result of his greediness years before. Now, all he wished was at least for his son and daughter to get along.

Requiel clears his throat. "Catherine, would you mind leaving the room for a while? There's an important matter that I am about to discuss with your brother."

Catherin's gaze went from her father to the physician behind him. It was obvious how she wanted to ask a question but decided to not to. All she did was nodded and gave her brother a peck on his cheek before heading towards the door. She also gave her father a peck on his cheek on the way. Once she was gone, Requiel had motined for the physician to go near the bed. Reigies didn't say anything and just watched as the physician approached his bed in silence with a silky looking bag in his hand. Upon opening it and taking out something that's what seems like a crystal ball, Reigies' brows creased.

"When we found both of you the other day in the forest, a blue aura was surrounding both of you, serving as your barrier." Requiel started.

"Blue...aura?" Reigies asks, confused and shocked at the same time. "Was Cathy able to weild an aura?" He asks, worried for her.

An aura is something a knight is able to wield, making their body and sword more powerful. It is similar to magic. The only difference is that, in magic, you are to cast spells and rely on the elements surrounding you to gather strength while in aura's, you are to rely solely on your own mental and physical strength. Aura's are categorized by its colors. Green is the weakest color and known to be already residing in everyones body. Above it is red, orange, yellow, blue and the darker shade of blue it becomes, the stronger it is.

That is why he became worried when he heard 'blue aura' being mentioned. In his past life, Catherine was only able to wield the second weakest of them all, which was understandable for she had only held a sword for self protection before. Now, a blue? That was unexpected. It could be dangerous as she was only eight. Unless she had been training for six months or a year. But that's not the case. It was only recently that she had picked up a wooden sword, for goodness' sake!

An aura is like a storm inside a bottle. The stronger the strom is, the stronger the bottle should be in order for it to not break. Once it breaks, the storm would eat up the bottle until there is no single shard is left. That is why the stronger ones aura becomes, the stronger they shall become. And for them to not break, they shall continue to have a strong body and mind.

"It is impossible for Catherine to wield an aura." Requiel says with a sigh as he also approached the bed.

"What do you mean by that, father?" Reigies asked. Catheriene didn't have that much of a trouble wiedling a green one in his past life.

Requiel shook his head. "I have blocked her core for health purposes."

"What do you mean by 'health purposes'? Is Catherine sick?" Reigies asks worriedly. It was then that a blur memory popped up in his mind.

'I had no choice. It was for the best. If I didn't block her core, even the weakest aura could damage her body slowly.'

"Reigies?" Requiel called when he noticed a change in his son's expression.

A sudden pain at the back of Reigies' head started crawling towards his right eye, as if it was eating up half of his head. An agonizing scream passed through his lips that startled the physician who was assembling the crystal ball on the bed. Requiel who was standing just a few moments ago was now beside his son, holding his hands that were somehow scratching the right side of his head and face.

"Reigies! Get a hold of yourself!" He then looked up and glared at the still shocked physician. "What in the fvckin hell are you doing?! Do something!"

The physician was about to grab the orb when he noticed a blue aura gathering within it. It grew bigger and darker in a fast pace. As that happens, Reigies' mind was being overwhelmed with blur memories from his past. Nightmares, blood, death, agony, resentments...

"It hurts." He whispers. "It hurts!" Another agonizing scream filled the room as tears started streaming down his face.

Requiel then heard a shattering sound and realized that it was the orb as a dark shade of blue aura started filling up the room. Cursing beneath his breath, Requiel firmly held his son's wrists and forced him to face him.

"Reigies! Reigies, open your eyes!"

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However, he didn't. He continued mumbling incoherrent words as he cried. It was then that the door slammed opened, revealing Emily together with Catherine and the shapeshifting creature that's now a black tiger.

"No one comes in the room!" The physician yells before Requiel could.

The aura that has started forming and becoming darker was dangerous. Requiel didn't know the cause but was now made aware that his son's mental state was not on its best.

"Is it his nightmares?" He thought.

"F-father." Reigies called in which he heard. "Father."

"I'm here, son. Father is here." Requiel responded, still holding Reigies' wrists.

"Father. Forgive me, father. Forgive me." Reigies continued mumbling the same words that confused Requiel. He has no idea what his son was apologizing for.

"Reigies, snap out of it!" He slightly shook him but it was no use.

Meanwhile, Emily was trying to drag the tiger out of the room after ushering Catherine out of the room. However it didn't budge from its position. It only stared at Reigies who was suffering from pain.

"Ruby?" Catherine called but was instead startled on what happened next.

The shapeshifting creature let out a terrifying roar. Emily went to grab Catherine and dragged her away from the tiger, fearing that it would attack them. Contrast to what she had thought though, the tiger took a few steps forward and roared once again. Requiel was ready to grab the dagger that's on his leg when he noticed something. The aura that was growing and darkening was now slowly disappearing. Reigies, who was in pain and crying awhile ago, had calmed down.

Slowly, Reigies raised his head and was faced with a figure he's very familiar with. A dark cloaked man stood not far from his bed. As usual, even without seeing his face, Reigies knew that he was staring at him. He didn't know why but he raised his hand, reaching for the man.

"Help..." Was the least he could utter before dark spots consumed his vision.

Feeling a sense of de javu, Requiel caught his now unconscious son. For a moment, he stared at his son's hand that had reached out towards the tiger. He then turned his head towards the creature shaped as a tiger. It was staring at Reigies, its crimson eyes glowing. Black smoke started gathering on its feet and began devouring it. As the smoke cleared, a black cat emerged from it. Requiel noticed how it seems to be on its weaken state as it walked and jumped on the bed, approaching Reigies. However, before it could reach Reigies, it lost its consciousness.

"M-my lord." Requiel raised his head and faced the baffled physician. "What had just happened?"

Requiel couldn't answer for he too was confused. His gaze then went from Reigies to the cat.

On the other hand, Emily was trying to wake up Catherine who had suddenly lost her consciousness. She had noticed that as she hugged the young miss, she suddenly felt her go tense and then limp. Emily thought that it was due to the shock caused by the tiger's roar. Little did she know that it was because of something else.

~~~

The sound of fingers tapping on the wood resounded in the whole room as Requiel leaned against his chair. With a sigh, he leaned forward and brought his palms to his face, halting the sound of tapping fingers. He, again, sighs but this time, a little louder.

"What the hell is going on?" He mumbled.

The mystery of what had happened for the two days his children went missing still wasn't answered for he was not able to talk to Reigies. And here, another event has occured right in front of him. At least a portion of the puzzle has appeared. The shapeshifting creature. It may be the reason as to why the children didn't have any recollection of what had happened for the past two days. But how? He knew that the shapeshifter wasn't just a normal shapeshifter. Could it be that it's a mage in disguise? If not, could it be owned by a mage? Both were the most plausible answer he could think of.

Yet, another set of question appears. Why would a third party help his children? How did it know of the attack even they weren't ready for? What is their purpose for helping? Are they friends? If not, a foe? And why was it that Reigies reached out for that creature as if he was familiar with it? Has his son made made an acquaintance or a friend without his knowledge? How? Just how?

An exasperated sigh escapes his lips as he, again, leans back on his chair. Question followed by another question. Plausible answers would appear, yet, another set of questions follows.

His trail of thought was interrupted by a knock on the door. He answered with a soft 'Come in' followed by the door opening, revealing Berkly who held a small tray in his hands.

"My lord, a missive from His Majesty, the king, has arrived." Berkly said as he approached his desk. He gently laid the tray on it and made a slight bow before turning to leave the the room.

"How are the kids?" Requiel asked before the butler could grab the doorknob.

"The young lord and young miss are still unconscious, my lord. Sir Rowen hasn't left the young master's side, just in case his aura goes uncontrolable whilst his unconsciousness. As for the young miss, sir Lawen has checked on her several times as per dame Higgins' order." A soft chuckle slipped through his lips, his shoulders slightly bouncing from it. "Truly, that young woman is as worry wart as her father was." He continued, reminded by the former general whom he also had considered his friend next to the former duke. "Luck it may be that I am still alive and able to witness these things. Stories to be told to those two are piling up, indeed."

"Such words, Berkley." Requiel sighed. One thing he didn't like about the head butler was that he would spout things as if he was awaiting of his death. The old man smiled at him, his eyes uttering words he would say repeatedly.

"This man is getting old. I stay here only to look after you younglings."

Requiel shook his head followed by Berkly's chuckle.

"And the shapeshifting creature?" Requiel asks.

"The cat is still in the young lord's room. A temporary small bed for it has been made according to your orders. Sir Rowen is also observing it together with the young lord."

With a nod, Requiel dismissed the butler. As he leaned back, he reached fo the missive from the king, who is also a long time friend of his. He had sent a letter to him the morning after the disappearance of his children, informing him of their situation and the cancellation of their arranged meeting. In normal circumstances, a letter would take a while to be recieved by its recepient but with their status, messengers of nobles are able to use portals to easily travel long distances. Deliveries of missives and other things are to take at least a day or two instead of weeks.

Requiel,

Dearest friend, I am truly glad that you were able to finally reunite with your young ones. I was ready to dispatch knights and mages if I have not heard from you after five days. I hope for their fast recovery, most especially your first born whom you have mentioned to have weilded a blue aura. It may be rude to congratulate him for doing so for it is uncertain if his body is capable of handling it. Nevertheless, I do believe he is just like you and is to be like you. A strong and powerful individual.

As for your question regarding shapeshifting beings, I have not heard of any residing here in the capital. The same goes with the countrysides and other estates. There are different types of shapeshifters, dear friend. I am not quite sure to which one you are referring to but as far as I know, they mingle amongst us. Yet, unfortunately, there is no proof. But I am certain that up to this day, they exist but no certainty where they reside and how many are still there. As you have said, it is possible that mages keep some of them. However, the Mage's Tower is something I can't touch. You are well aware of the agreement the royals had with its head years back. Though I guarantee that the mages from the tower won't bring harm to anyone.

Moving forward, the temple seems to be making a move after hearing that you plan on travelling here in the capital with your daughter. My friend, I as a royal and ruler, may be in odds with the temple but I worry that the prophecy they had released may truly be not a hoax they have plotted to create a dispute between us. I must confess that I had agreed to meet you and your daughter to study her. I wanted to make sure I am not bringing danger in the royal family. I am well aware that you only want to protect your daughter, however, I hope you understand that I am a king and that my people goes first before anything else. Regradless, I hope for your children's recovery and look forward to meeting your daughter. Contact me once again if you are in need of anything else.

Your friend,

Rhoman Hidelth

Requiel tightly closed his eyes as he dropped the peiece of paper and leaned back on his chair. He knew even before that his friend, the king, had somehow believed that the temple's prophecy was talking about house Atlante. He may have known already that his friend had agreed to at least meet his daughter to keep an eye on her but to confirm his thought had hurt him in some way. Of course, he couldn't really blame his friend. He's a king and a father before anything else. His fist then clenched as the prophecy he had heard from a banquet a year ago echoed in his mind.

"A calamity slumbers within she who is a decendant of a dragon, born from a human and a witch. In the hands of a brave knight, sword with a blade of hope and prosperity, he shall slay with his aching heart. He who slays with an inflamed heart brings calamity with his own hands."

He then opened his eyes, his gaze landing on Havien, the sword passed down from one generation to another. A sword representing hope and prosperity.