"This voice…"
"It's him…"
The prince's breath caught in his throat. Time seemed to slow, and in the chaos of the battlefield, his mind was pulled into the past.
A flashback surged before his eyes—the day years ago when Aaki saved him for the very first time. Back then, the prince hadn't remembered everything. The haze of fear and confusion had clouded his mind. But now, standing at the edge of death, the words returned with perfect clarity.
After healing the prince's guards that day, Aaki hadn't just walked away. He had come closer, his voice calm but firm, his presence impossible to ignore.
"You're not weak," Aaki had said.
"When you stand up for even one life, it means you're brave."
"No one has the right to tell you what you're capable of. Only you decide your strength."
"Never back down from protecting your loved ones."
The prince's eyes widened as the words echoed inside him, as if Aaki were speaking them again right here, right now.
"He was right… never back down from protecting your loved ones."
His body trembled, battered and broken, yet his spirit burned with a flicker of defiance.
"I fought until everyone escaped. Whether I live or die doesn't matter anymore. What matters is… I was able to protect them, even just this once."
But as his grip loosened on his sword, despair clawed at him again.
"I'm helpless now… I can't even raise my blade. But I have to protect her. How… how do I—"
And then he heard it. A voice.
"Here… take this."
His memory shifted again—to that very same day years ago. Aaki had pressed something into his hand before leaving.
It was a ring.
"What's this, mister?" the young prince had asked back then.
"It's a magical ring," Aaki had replied. "If you ever find yourself in a life-or-death situation… use it. Call me, and no matter where you are—I'll come."
Back in the present, the prince's body shivered. His trembling fingers reached for the ring.
The enemy's lethal spell was already descending, the end moments away.
Clutching the ring tightly, the prince shut his eyes and cried out:
"Please… help me, Master!!!"
—
The world fell silent.
The air turned cold.
The prince, expecting death, instead opened his eyes to see something impossible—half the enemies sprawled on the ground, unconscious or defeated, their bodies twitching as if crushed by invisible force.
And there, standing between him and the enemy leader's hand, was Aaki. His figure calm, his presence unshakable.
Aaki glanced back at the prince. "You okay?"
Tears welled instantly in the prince's eyes. "Y-you… you really came…"
The enemy leader staggered backward, his mind racing in panic.
"What was that? Where did he come from? How did he move so fast—fast enough to fell my men and stop my hand in a single instant? I didn't even see him move…"
He swallowed hard.
"Who the hell is this guy… this calm, this terrifying…"
The prince's body shook as Aaki reached his hand out, pulling him back to his feet.
"You did great," Aaki said, his voice steady.
The prince's lips quivered. "Master… I…" His words dissolved into tears.
"I'm here now," Aaki reassured him. "No need to worry."
The enemy leader's rage erupted.
"Who the hell are you to interfere!? Why are you standing in my way—"
But Aaki cut him off, his tone sharp as steel.
"Take your men and leave. At once."
The leader's eyes flared. "You dare order us? Do you know who you're—"
The prince, still stunned, whispered, "Who are you?"
"It doesn't matter," the enemy leader sneered. "We've been ordered to kill you all. That is your fate."
But Aaki remained still, his face void of emotion.
"Don't waste your breath," he said to the prince. "Let's end this quickly."
"Yes!" the enemy leader shouted, "Let's finish this—and you'll die with them!"
He lunged forward, his power flaring. But before his attack could land, before even a heartbeat could pass—
Aaki moved.
And in an instant, the leader was crushed into the ground, pinned helplessly, his body trembling under a weight he couldn't comprehend.
The prince gasped, stunned beyond belief, but his first thought wasn't victory—it was his sister. He rushed to her side, helping her up.
She looked toward Aaki, wide-eyed. "Who… who is he, brother?"
The prince glanced at her with tears still lingering in his eyes. "Don't you remember? Years ago—he's the one who saved us."
Her memory snapped back, her eyes lighting with recognition. "Yes… it's him!" She stumbled forward. "Thank you—"
But as she stood before Aaki, her words faltered. She stared at him in awe, her breath caught—not just at his strength, but his presence, his quiet beauty that radiated like a storm contained.
The prince quickly spoke for her. "Thank you for helping us again."
Aaki's gaze was calm. "You asked for help. So of course, I came."
The siblings bowed deeply, their voices shaking with gratitude. "Thank you, Master. You saved our lives—again."
"You don't need to thank me," Aaki replied softly.
The princess's eyes widened suddenly. "Brother—what about Father!?"
The prince's heart jolted. "We have to hurry!"
Aaki turned his gaze toward them. "What happened to your father?"
The prince explained everything—the poison, the failed attempts to heal him, the king's slow march toward death.
Aaki's expression didn't change. He simply said, "Take me to him."
The prince hesitated, staring at Aaki's calm, almost emotionless face. But he obeyed, leading him to the king's chamber.
—
The king lay pale and weak upon his bed, his breaths shallow.
Aaki stepped forward without a word, raising his hand. Light surged, flooding the room in warmth. Within seconds, the poison was purged, the damage healed. The king's eyes snapped open, strength returning as though death had never touched him.
The princess wept as she threw her arms around her father. "You're awake… thank goodness…"
The prince bowed his head, tears streaming freely. "I'm so grateful to you, Master. How could I ever repay what you've done for me?"
"It's fine," Aaki said simply, turning to leave.
But before he could step away, both siblings rushed forward and grabbed his arms.
"Please… stop!"
Aaki turned his head slightly. "What is it?"
"Please… stay with us," they said together.
The king, now fully recovered, rose from his bed and approached. "Who is this man?"
The prince answered with pride. "Father, this is the one who saved us years ago. And today… he saved us again."
The king bowed his head. "Thank you, young man, for protecting my children. I owe you a debt beyond words. Please allow me to show our gratitude."
Aaki shook his head. "There's no need for thanks."
But the prince tightened his grip again. His voice cracked. "Please, Master—stay. Train me. Make me strong. I beg you."
Aaki paused. Silence hung heavy in the chamber. Then, after a long moment, he finally nodded.
"…Fine. I'll stay."
Relief washed over the siblings' faces.
The king stepped forward. "Thank you. If you don't mind me asking, what is your name?"
"Aaki."
The king's lips curved faintly. "Aaki… a strong, beautiful name. You are a tall, handsome man—quite a diligent charm about you, young one."
"Thank you for your compliments," Aaki replied calmly.
"Prince," the king commanded, "take Aaki to our guest room. Provide him with everything he needs."
The prince nodded eagerly, leading the way. Aaki followed silently down the hallway.
And then—he stopped.
Through a window overlooking the royal gardens, his eyes caught sight of a woman tending flowers, her figure graceful beneath the fading light.
His breath stilled. His chest tightened.
In the quiet of his mind, Aaki whispered to himself:
"It's you…"