the 5 year time skip (2)

The estate stood tall against the evening sky, its towering walls casting long shadows over the sprawling gardens that surrounded it. The air was filled with the scent of blooming roses, and the cobblestone path leading to the entrance was lined with flickering lanterns.

Dakota took a deep breath as he stood before the grand gates. It had been months since he'd last set foot here. Memories threatened to resurface—some warm, some painful—but he pushed them aside.

Beside him, his father, Duke, adjusted his coat, glancing at Dakota with a small smirk.

Duke: "Nervous?"

Dakota scoffed.

Dakota: "You know I don't get nervous."

Duke chuckled, shaking his head.

Duke: "Right, right. The great Dakota, Emperor of Flames, doesn't know fear."

The massive doors creaked open, revealing the grand interior of the mansion. Golden chandeliers illuminated the entrance hall, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors.

A soft voice echoed from the stairway.

Dakota's Mother: "You're finally back."

Dakota turned his gaze upward, meeting the familiar eyes of his mother. She was as graceful as ever, her features untouched by time. There was warmth in her smile, but also something else—worry.

Before he could respond, a blur of movement shot down the stairs.

Emma: "Brother!"

His younger sister, Emma, practically threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Dakota barely had time to steady himself before she buried her face in his chest.

Emma: "I missed you, you idiot!"

Dakota let out a small chuckle, ruffling her hair.

Dakota: "It's only been a few months."

Emma pulled away, pouting.

Emma: "Too long."

Duke coughed into his fist.

Duke: "Ahem. Maybe we should move this to the living room?"

They all nodded and made their way inside.

The living room was as grand as Dakota remembered—plush velvet couches, walls lined with bookshelves, and a fireplace crackling warmly in the corner. They all took their seats, settling in as the atmosphere turned more serious.

Dakota leaned forward, his golden eyes glinting in the firelight.

Dakota: "I won't waste time. You know why I'm here."

His mother sighed.

Dakota's Mother: "The war."

Dakota nodded.

Dakota: "The final battle is coming. I wanted to see you all before it starts."

Duke crossed his arms, his expression unreadable.

Duke: "And?"

Dakota's gaze shifted to his mother.

Dakota: "Will you fight?"

Silence filled the room. The flames in the fireplace flickered, casting shifting shadows on the walls.

His mother studied him carefully, her eyes searching for something—hesitation, doubt, fear. But she found none.

Then, she nodded.

Dakota's Mother: "Yes. I will participate."

Duke groaned, rubbing his temples.

Duke: "You're serious?"

His mother's gaze hardened.

Dakota's Mother: "Duke, I was one of the Ten Legendary Heroes. I won't stand by and watch while the world burns."

Dakota smirked.

Dakota: "Good."

Emma, who had been silent, suddenly clenched her fists.

Emma: "Then I'll fight too!"

The room tensed.

Dakota's expression immediately darkened. His voice, normally composed, now carried an edge of steel.

Dakota: "No."

Emma's eyes widened in shock.

Emma: "What?!"

Dakota: "You're not fighting, Emma. End of discussion."

Emma shot to her feet, her face red with anger.

Emma: "That's not fair! I've trained for this! I graduated from the academy! I can hold my own!"

Dakota's gaze was unreadable, but his voice left no room for argument.

Dakota: "You think training at the academy makes you ready for war?"

Emma gritted her teeth.

Emma: "Yes!"

Dakota stood up, towering over her.

Dakota: "Then tell me, Emma—have you ever seen a battlefield?"

Emma flinched.

Dakota: "Have you seen men scream as their bodies are torn apart? Have you watched a friend die in front of you, knowing you were too weak to save them?"

Silence.

Dakota took a step closer, his brown eyes burning with an intensity that made Emma tremble.

Dakota: "This isn't a game. This isn't an academy sparring match. This is war. And I refuse to let you throw your life away."

Emma's body shook. Tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Emma: "You're a terrible big brother."

Dakota didn't respond.

Emma's voice cracked.

Emma: "I hate you."

She turned on her heel and stormed upstairs, slamming her door shut.

The room was silent once more.

Duke sighed heavily.

Duke: "You know she didn't mean that."

Dakota exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

Dakota: "I know."

His mother placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Dakota's Mother: "You did the right thing."

Dakota said nothing. He simply turned toward the fireplace, watching the flames dance.

The weight of war loomed over them all.

Late that night, Dakota stood outside the mansion, gazing up at the stars.

His week-long journey would begin soon.

As he adjusted the straps of his travel bag, he heard footsteps behind him.

Duke leaned against the stone railing, arms crossed.

Duke: "You're leaving without telling them, aren't you?"

Dakota smirked.

Dakota: "Of course. They'd try to stop me."

Duke sighed.

Duke: "Where are you going?"

Dakota's smirk widened.

Dakota: "Somewhere important."

Duke rolled his eyes.

Duke: "That's not an answer."

Dakota shrugged.

Dakota: "It's all you're getting."

Duke studied him for a moment, then let out a small chuckle.

Duke: "You really haven't changed."

Dakota's smirk faded slightly.

Dakota: "No. I have."

Duke raised an eyebrow.

Dakota turned away, his golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

Dakota: "That's why I won't fail."

Dakota's mother: "you know it makes me sad when you don't tell me where you're going Dakota."

Dakota: "oh mother you're here... Well I'm sorry... And tell Emma that I'm sorry that I didn't tell her."

Dakota's mother: "oh she will be so mad when I tell her that you're leaving right after coming back to home after months, she will also be sad."

Dakota: "well it's very important mother, and after we finish the war and win. Then I can spend a lot more time with Emma and you guys."

With that said, he disappeared into the night.