Valeborn Residence
The iron gate closed behind Ryan Valeborn with a soft click.The sound echoed through the quiet street like the end of a long day.
— I'm home! — he shouted, kicking off his shoes in the narrow hallway.
— Welcome, my son! — his mother's voice came from the kitchen, tired yet warm. — What's in that bag?
Ryan entered, trying to hide the excitement in his eyes. He placed the package on the table, hesitating for a moment before opening it.
— Ah... it's a video game console. The latest model.
His mother turned around, surprised.— What?! Son, we can't afford—
— It's fine, Mom. — He smiled reassuringly. — My friends gave it to me. Ethan and Ryu. They insisted.
She walked up to him and cupped his face gently. Her hands were rough, marked by years of work.— They must be very rich...
Ryan nodded, a hint of pride in his voice.— They are. Ethan is Inavy Stormbreak's son, and Ryu is Kelvin Nox's.
For a moment, time seemed to stop. Her eyes widened, surprise shifting into a soft, proud smile.
— I'm happy for you, my son... it seems you're making real friends.
He smiled back, but his expression faltered.— And the interview?
— It went well. — She took a deep breath. — I start tomorrow. As a housemaid.
Ryan leaned forward, curious.— Where?
The silence that followed was heavy.— At Jayson's estate.
The name cut through the air like a blade.Ryan froze.— ...Kane's?
She noticed the tension and ran her hand through his hair gently.— It'll be fine, dear.
But Ryan knew better. When it came to the Kanes… nothing ever stayed fine for long.
Guild of a Thousand Lights Headquarters – Private Training Chamber
The walls trembled under the clash of light and darkness. Golden flames and black shadows collided like raging storms.
Kelvin Nox, wrapped in an elegant dark aura, moved with lethal precision.Dante Valtier faced him, his scarlet blade shining like the sun.
— Come on, Dante. — Kelvin smirked. — Don't go easy on me.
Dante twirled his flaming sword.— You asked for it.
The impact echoed through the chamber. Each strike was a collision of opposites — shadow and light, chaos and control.
In a blink, Kelvin appeared behind Dante.The edge of his Null Blade rested against Dante's neck.— Predictable.
Before Dante could reply, the door burst open in a ray of golden light.
Lorien Valtier stepped in, his white cloak gleaming beneath celestial radiance. His Seraph Eyes glowed with ancient power.
— Beautiful sparring. — he said with a proud grin. — Almost as beautiful as I was at twenty.
Dante chuckled softly.— Dad… where's Mom?
Kelvin crossed his arms.— You didn't just come here to brag, did you?
Lorien's smile faded, replaced by a heavy seriousness.— Diana's in the office. But... I sensed something. Something old. Familiar.
Dante frowned.— Another one of your strange feelings?
Lorien's gaze locked on Kelvin.— It might be... him.
Kelvin froze.The dark flame around him flickered.
Twilight Forest
The forest shimmered under the golden glow of sunset.Leaves glinted like embers caught in the wind.
Kelvin moved cautiously between the trees, his hand resting on his sword's hilt.Beside him, Dante scanned the horizon.
— This aura... it's strange. Doesn't feel like darkness, — Dante muttered.
Kelvin nodded slowly.— No. But it feels... familiar.
The air rippled. A hooded figure appeared in the clearing, radiating an unfamiliar, pulsing energy.
Kelvin stopped cold. His heart pounded in his chest.When the hood fell, time seemed to stop.
Blue eyes. Auburn hair. A crooked smile.
Kelvin's breath hitched.— You... you're real?
The figure's voice was calm, almost melancholic.— You've grown a lot since that day, haven't you, Kelvin?
Dante raised his sword.— Who are you?
Kelvin didn't look away.— Kai...
The name hung in the air like a forbidden memory.
Dante blinked.— Kai?
Kelvin closed his eyes briefly.— One of the few men Lorien once called brother.
– Lorien's Office – Hero Association Headquarters
The atmosphere was tense. Maps, scrolls, and floating crystals illuminated the central table.
Lorien stood with his back turned when Kai entered. The sound of his footsteps was enough to freeze him.
When he turned around, Lorien's face mixed shock and raw emotion.— KAI?!
Kai raised an eyebrow, offering a faint smile.— Hey, Valtier.
For a moment, silence ruled. Then Lorien stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace.
— You idiot… what took you so long?
Kai smiled, his gaze distant, lost in memories.— I had unfinished business. Something... important.
The room fell quiet. Even the crystals seemed to pause.
– Outside of Headquarters – Night
The wind cut through the streets, carrying the distant chime of bells and faint traces of magic.
Kelvin walked beside Dante, his fingers brushing against the silver pendant on his neck — his mother's last gift.
— You've changed, — Dante said with a smirk. — You look like you've seen a ghost… or something worse, Uncle Kelvin.
Kelvin kept his eyes on the ground.— If Kai has truly returned... then something big is coming.
Far above the city lights, atop an ancient tower, Kai stood watching in silence.
The wind swirled around him, heavy with the scent of rain and memory.
— Not all ghosts return to protect...
He paused.
His eyes narrowed, a shadow crossing his face.— Some return... to destroy.
End of Chapter 2 – Echoes of the Past