Chapter 30
Elsewhere.
Two men walked side by side, smiling as they talked about their day. Work had been exhausting as usual, but it paid off. They had managed to secure several quality mana gems, enough to earn them some recognition in their small city.
Their dream was simple.
Work harder. Rise higher. Get noticed by the Kingdom of Rugraiy itself.
"Hey," one of them asked casually. "How's little Sasha?"
He was muscular, late twenties, with short black hair and brown eyes. Handsome, with a radiant smile that made people trust him easily.
The other man looked more frail, green-haired and constantly tired.
"She's as energetic as ever," he replied with a sigh. "I'll have to survive a few exhausting rounds of games when I get home."
Despite the stress in his voice, the smile on his face was genuine.
Then he paused.
"Wait. That reminds me. What about your wife? I believe she's supposed to give birth today."
The burly man's eyes widened.
"How could I forget that?"
Panic hit him all at once.
"Oh crap. I need to get to the infirmary."
"See you later, Jon."
He took off at full speed, leaving only dust behind.
The green-haired man watched his friend disappear, then shook his head with a fond smile.
As forgetful as ever. He hasn't changed at all.
Jon reached his modest mansion quickly. The city was not large, and his heart was racing the entire way.
He stopped at the doorstep.
Something was wrong.
The house was far too quiet.
There should have been noise. At least something. Little Sasha was never quiet, especially not at this hour.
He opened the door slowly, bracing himself.
What he saw made him freeze.
His wife and daughter stood in the middle of the room, staring at a glowing white bulb. Their eyes were filled with curiosity and bewilderment.
"Hey," Jon asked cautiously. "What's going on here?"
Neither of them looked away from the light.
"Come closer, dear," his wife said calmly. "And hear it yourself."
"Yes, Dad," Sasha added excitedly. "This ball has magical powers."
Jon chuckled.
They were clearly pranking him.
Still, he walked closer and sat down, curious about what trick they had prepared.
Then the bulb spoke.
"Welcome home, owner."
Jon shot to his feet, eyes wide.
"What did that ball of light just say?" he demanded.
The glowing orb sighed.
"I hoped that, as the father of this house, your reaction would be better. And do not call me a ball of light. I deserve a better name than that."
Jon swallowed.
"Leave that aside for now," the voice continued. "I bring grave news. You must act immediately."
The light pulsed.
"The entire Rugraiy Kingdom will soon fall into chaos. You need to pack your things and leave the city, and the kingdom itself, before it is too late."
Elsewhere.
Vastro was still watching his mother. Thankfully, she had decided not to feed him again. Instead, she whispered childish stories, trying to make him smile.
His face remained neutral.
After a while, she sighed, guilt creeping into her expression.
Was she really that bad at this?
Vastro gave in and forced a small smile.
Her reaction was instant.
She chuckled softly, joy lighting up her face.
Seeing her happiness, Vastro's heart skipped.
"Sincerely," he thought, "I think I'm doomed."
He had not even finished lamenting when the door to the ward swung open.
A man walked inside.
He wore rugged black leather, his black hair cut short. His face was rough, almost beastlike.
Why does he look like a bandit? Vastro thought, mildly disgusted.
"Dear, you made it in time," his mother said warmly.
Dear.
Vastro froze.
Wait.
Dear?
"Boy or girl?" the man asked, his voice trembling as he struggled to hold back a cry. He was too happy.
Boy.
Wait.
Dear.
No.
Vastro's mind raced.
Of course.
This had to be his father.
…Did he just insult his own father moments after being born?
That did not sound like something a good child would do.
The husband nodded, walking closer to his wife and son, the smile never leaving his face.
Then, without warning, he rushed forward and pulled them both into a tight hug.
"Hey, old man, don't squeeze me to death. Take it easy," Vastro screamed in his mind.
His pleas went completely unheard.
The happy father only tightened his hold, as if afraid they would disappear if he let go.
By sheer luck, his mother intervened just in time, prying the man off and saving Vastro's fragile life at the very last second.
The man looked at her sheepishly.
Vastro stared at him.
Well, he supposed he should call him his father. That sounded strange. After all, to Vastro, these two were nothing more than children when compared to his true age.
"Selene, thank you," the man said with a grateful smile.
Selene.
So that was her name.
Of course it was. It suited her perfectly.
Beautiful. Soft. Sweet.
No wonder he liked her so much. Even her name felt like honey.
"Do you want to hold him?" Selene asked.
The rugged man hesitated.
For a moment, his confidence vanished. Then he nodded and raised his hands, trembling from excitement.
Vastro's mind screamed a single word.
Danger.
"Mom, we don't want me falling and losing more brain cells on top of my already serious problem," he tried to say.
Only cute babbling came out.
This time, Selene did not save him.
The father reached out and grabbed him.
To Vastro's surprise, the grip was firm. Careful. Secure.
He did not fall.
"He's handsome," the man said proudly.
Of course I am, Vastro thought. What were you expecting?
"Yes," Selene replied warmly. "Care to name him?"
The father went silent.
He clearly remembered his wife's questionable naming sense and seemed determined not to let her ruin their son's future.
After a long moment, he spoke.
"What about Rayden?"
Vastro's heart froze.
Selene smiled softly.
"Yes," she said. "That's a good name."
The man's smile widened even more, as if it could grow no further, yet it somehow did.
Then he lifted Vastro up without warning.
"Welcome, Rayden, to the Dravenheart family."
Vastro's mind went blank.
Rayden.
Dravenheart.
The name he swore to erase.
The name tied to nightmares.
And yet.
Here he was.
Born into it.
To be continued…
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