The cave was silent—too silent.
Only the sound of our tired breathing echoed faintly off the damp stone walls. Each inhale scraped my lungs, each exhale fogged faintly in the cold air before fading into darkness.
I sat with my knees pulled close to my chest, my body still trembling from exhaustion and fear. The ancient book rested between Charlie and me, its weight oddly comforting. The faint glow from the shield had long vanished, but a lingering warmth still pulsed against my chest, slow and steady—like a second heartbeat.
Charlie hadn't looked away from the book even once.
His eyes were fixed on it, sharp yet unsettled, as though he were staring at something that defied everything he knew. The silence stretched, heavy and oppressive, until it felt unbearable.
Finally, he spoke, "Young Master…" his voice was careful—too careful. "How did you activate the book?"
I blinked, caught off guard.
"Huh? I didn't activate anything."
Charlie's brows tightened slightly, his gaze never leaving the book.
"Then how did that shield appear?"
I shook my head slowly.
"I… I don't know," I whispered, my voice unsteady. "I was terrified. My thoughts were a mess—I couldn't think straight at all."
I swallowed hard.
"In that moment… I only wanted to protect myself." My fingers curled instinctively.
"I just kept telling myself that I didn't want to die. Over and over. That was all I could think about."
My gaze fell to my hands.
They were still trembling—small, uncontrollable shakes that refused to stop, no matter how tightly I clenched my fists.
"I didn't do anything," I whispered. "The book… it just reacted on its own."
Charlie lowered his gaze, deep in thought. His fingers pressed against his temple as if forcing his mind to make sense of something impossible. The longer he thought, the more troubled his expression became.
"…No," he muttered under his breath. "That doesn't make sense."
Charlie dragged a hand down his face, fingers pressing hard against his forehead as he exhaled slowly, frustration seeping into his voice.
"There's no explanation for it," he admitted. "At least… none that I know."
His words settled heavily between us.."
My chest tightened, a dull pressure building as unease crept in.
Slowly, I reached forward and placed the book on the cave floor between us. The faint sound it made against the stone echoed louder than it should have.
"Charlie… please."
The word slipped out before I could stop it, fragile and unsteady. My voice trembled no matter how hard I tried to hold it together, the fear pressing too tightly against my chest.
"What's happening?" I asked quietly, then the questions spilled out faster, heavier. "Why did those people attack our home? Why do they want us dead?"
I lifted my head and looked at him.
I couldn't hide it anymore—the terror burning in my eyes, the confusion, the helpless need for answers.
"And this book…" My fingers curled unconsciously against my chest. "What is it? Why was it hidden?"
Charlie didn't answer right away.
His lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line, his gaze lowering as if the weight of everything had finally caught up to him.
I leaned closer, exhaustion no longer strong enough to keep my fear restrained.
"I want to know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to know."
The silence that followed felt heavier than any answer.
He hesitated.
I saw it clearly—the way his gaze wavered, the tightness in his jaw, the silent struggle playing out behind his eyes.
So I leaned forward and whispered, my voice barely more than a breath.
"If we're going to die in this forest… at least let me know the truth before then."
The word die lingered in the air.
Charlie's eyes widened—just slightly—but it was enough. The cave seemed to grow colder, the shadows pressing in as if they were listening.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he exhaled slowly, deeply—the sound heavy, as though he were releasing a burden he had carried far too long.
"…Alright," he said at last, his voice low and resigned. "I will tell you what I know."
My heart began to pound harder, each beat echoing in my ears.
The truth was finally coming.
---
Charlie closed his eyes for a long moment, as if steadying himself against a memory he would rather not face. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and heavy.
"First… about those strangers," he said quietly. "I don't know who they are."
My head snapped up instantly.
"You… don't know?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, sharp with disbelief.
Charlie opened his eyes and met my gaze. There was no hesitation there—only honesty.
He nodded once.
"Yes."
The single word hit harder than I expected.
He glanced briefly at the ancient book resting between us, his expression heavy.
"I don't know what this book truly is either—what it does, how it works, or why they're so desperate to obtain it."
His voice lowered, firm despite the uncertainty.
"But I do know one thing, Young Master."
His voice lowered.
"Everything that happened to the Reyes family… everything that night—began because of this book."
He swallowed.
"It is dangerous. And whatever power it holds… it is powerful enough to invite destruction."
My chest tightened painfully, as if something invisible had wrapped itself around my heart and begun to squeeze.
All this time, I had believed Charlie knew everything—that he always understood the dangers surrounding our family, that he always had an answer, a plan, a way forward. No matter how dire the situation, Charlie had never seemed lost.
But now…
Even he was standing in the dark.
If Charlie didn't know who attacked us—
if even he couldn't name our enemy—
Then the threat looming over us was far greater than I had ever imagined.
---
Charlie continued, his voice steady but low.
"Arthur… the world you know is not the real world. There are countless mysteries hidden behind the peaceful life you've lived."
I stared at him, confusion and fear twisting together in my chest.
"Your father planned to tell you everything when you turned eighteen," Charlie said gently. "But now… things have changed. And you must know early."
I swallowed hard.
Charlie took a slow breath.
"You know this world," Charlie said slowly, his voice steady but heavy with meaning, "is divided into four great nations, right!?"
I nodded.
He raised a finger.
"First—the Theralis Empire. Our homeland. Vast, wealthy, and heavily populated. Its armies are disciplined, its coffers deep, and its influence stretches far beyond its borders."
"Second—the Sinderfall Dominion. A brutal land shaped by endless conflict. War is not an event there—it is a way of life. Its people are hardened, ruthless, and terrifying on the battlefield."
"Third—the Elysis Federation. A nation that values knowledge above all else. Scholars, researchers, and innovators thrive there. Culture, education, and ancient records define their strength."
"And finally—the Varkun Isles. A scattered chain of islands shrouded in mystery. Few truly understand what lies there. Ancient powers, unpredictable phenomena… many believe forces older than nations sleep within those lands."
I listened in silence, forcing myself to absorb every word—though I already knew the names of the four nations, hearing them now felt different, heavier, as if their meaning had changed along with my world.
"In Theralis," Charlie continued, his voice steady but heavy with meaning, "there are countless wealthy families—merchants, landowners, industrial giants who control gold and trade."
He paused, letting the distinction settle.
"But only five are recognized as true noble families."
I looked at him closely.
"These five," he went on, "are the pillars that uphold the empire itself. They influence politics, command private forces, and shape the direction of the nation from the shadows. Even the Royal Family cannot ignore them."
His gaze lowered for a moment.
"And among those five…", He met my eyes again, "…the Reyes Family stands as one of the strongest."
The words carried a weight I had never truly understood before.
My breath hitched.
"Our family," Charlie said softly, "is not only wealthy within the empire, but across the world. Our influence spans continents. Our businesses shape markets beyond borders. Even the Royal Family respects us—not simply because of wealth, but because of power."
I lowered my gaze. I had always known we were rich… But never this rich.
Charlie lifted his hand, and a small flame flickered to life above his palm, casting dancing shadows across the cave walls.
"And what most people don't know," he continued, "is that supernatural powers exist in this world."
My eyes widened.
"There are people who wield magic… spirits… blessed abilities… and even forbidden ones, like black magic."
He gestured to the flame.
""As you can see," Charlie said quietly, "I wield fire—power drawn from fire spirits themselves."
I stared at the flame, its warmth brushing against my skin.
My thoughts lagged behind what my eyes were seeing.
Magic. Spirits. Abilities.
Things I had only ever heard of in stories were now burning calmly in Charlie's hand. The reality of it all pressed down on me at once, my mind struggling to reshape everything I thought I knew about this world.
With a quiet sigh, Charlie extinguished it.
"Now…" he said slowly, "…about that night."
My body stiffened instantly.
Charlie lowered his gaze, his expression growing heavy.
"After your birthday party… once the guests left… you and your brothers returned to your rooms. Your father and mother also went to rest. Everything was peaceful."
His voice dropped.
"But when everyone fell asleep…"
His jaw tightened.
"…something unexpected happened."
My fingers curled tightly into the fabric of my shirt.
My heart pounded painfully against my ribs.
The truth I had been running from— was finally beginning to reveal itself.