Chapter 14: The Day Innocence Shattered

A Story from Alistair's Past

The Vaelthorne Estate was alive with laughter and warmth.

The grand courtyard, usually reserved for noble gatherings and training, had become a playground of swirling mana lights and blooming vines. The scent of fresh earth and wildflowers filled the air as two children danced amidst the shimmering energy.

Alistair and Elaine, ten years old, full of life.

Their mother stood nearby, Lady Seraphina Vaelthorne, watching them with a soft smile, her silver-blonde hair glistening in the sunlight.

This was their world—a moment untouched by war, politics, or power.

A moment of pure happiness.

---

Magic and Moonlight – A Mother's Lesson

"Watch, watch! I can do it now!"

Elaine clapped her hands, excitement radiating from her small form. With a delicate wave of her fingers, tiny silver vines sprouted from the ground, their leaves shimmering under the light.

Alistair watched in awe. "You did it!"

Elaine turned to their mother, her blue eyes glowing with joy. "Mother, did you see?"

Seraphina chuckled, stepping closer. "I saw, my love. You're already connecting with Artemis's blessing."

Elaine beamed.

Alistair, however, wasn't satisfied.

His small hands curled into fists. "I want to try too!"

Seraphina knelt beside him, brushing his raven-black hair from his eyes. Her touch was always so gentle.

"You already did, my little wolf," she whispered, tapping his nose playfully.

Alistair pouted. "But not like Elaine. She can make vines grow—mine barely listen to me!"

Seraphina smiled, taking his small hands in hers.

"Magic isn't about forcing nature to obey. It's about understanding it. Feeling it."

She lifted her free hand, and with a soft pulse of emerald light, a single lunar blossom bloomed in her palm.

Elaine's eyes sparkled. "So pretty…"

Seraphina turned to Alistair. "Close your eyes. Breathe. And don't just command the magic—listen to it."

Alistair hesitated but obeyed. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his mana, feeling the warmth of the earth beneath him, the whisper of the wind.

A spark flickered in his chest.

And then—a single sprout emerged from the ground.

Elaine gasped. "You did it!"

Alistair opened his eyes and saw the small, delicate vine curling around his fingers. It was weak, but it was there.

Seraphina kissed his forehead. "See? You are strong. You just have to believe."

His young heart swelled with pride.

For the first time, he felt truly connected to something greater.

---

A Mother's Embrace – A World Without Darkness

The afternoon passed in laughter and magic, the courtyard filled with swirling leaves and harmless flickers of mana.

At one point, Seraphina lifted both children into her arms, spinning them in a playful embrace.

"My little wolves, so strong, so brilliant."

Elaine giggled, burying her face in their mother's shoulder. "I'll protect you when I get stronger, Mother!"

Alistair, still clinging to Seraphina's arm, nodded fiercely. "Me too! No one will ever hurt us."

His mother's blue eyes softened, yet a shadow passed over them—a sadness neither child could understand.

"Then promise me, both of you."

She pressed their small hands together, their fingers intertwined.

"No matter what happens, protect each other. You are stronger together."

Elaine nodded eagerly. "I promise!"

Alistair squeezed his sister's hand. "I promise."

Seraphina smiled, pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads.

"My little wolves… never forget. Strength is not just in power—it is in love."

For a moment, time stood still in her embrace.

For a moment, everything was perfect.

Then—the world shattered.

---

The Attack – When Darkness Descended

A deafening explosion rocked the estate.

The ground trembled, throwing dust and shattered stone into the air.

The sky darkened unnaturally, the warmth of the sun swallowed by a thick, looming fog of mana.

Seraphina's body tensed instantly.

Alistair barely had time to process before a sharp pressure filled the air—a suffocating presence of hostile mana.

Elaine screamed.

Enemies.

They had come for them.

---

The Vaelthorne Estate Burns

"Inside. Now."

Seraphina's voice was no longer warm.

It was cold. Absolute. Commanding.

She pushed them toward the entrance, her magic flaring violently—an emerald barrier forming around the estate.

But the enemy was prepared.

A barrage of dark energy struck the shield, causing cracks to form instantly.

Alistair grabbed Elaine's hand, his heart hammering.

Who were they? Why now?

He knew the Aurelian Empire was at war—their father was leading forces at the northern front. The strongest Vaelthorne warriors were away, dealing with a dungeon break.

Had their enemies waited for this moment?

Seraphina turned to them, her blue eyes burning with mana.

"Listen to me. You must stay hidden—no matter what. Do not come out until I say."

Elaine clutched her sleeve, tears forming in her eyes. "Mother, what's happening?!"

Seraphina forced a smile, brushing her daughter's cheek.

"Just a little storm, my love. Stay strong for me."

Then—the barrier shattered.

---

The Wolves Face the Dark

A dozen figures in dark cloaks surged forward, their mana blades gleaming.

Seraphina's expression twisted with fury.

She raised her hand—and the entire courtyard came alive.

Vines, roots, and flowers twisted into deadly weapons, striking forward with lethal precision.

The assassins dodged and countered, but one was too slow.

A vine pierced his throat, lifting him into the air before tearing him apart.

Blood sprayed the ground.

Alistair had never seen his mother kill before.

He should have been afraid.

But in that moment—he only saw her strength.

--

Blood painted the courtyard.

Flames roared.

The once-pristine estate was reduced to a battlefield—a place where nature's beauty had turned into a twisted graveyard of broken vines and shattered stone.

Amidst it all, Seraphina Vaelthorne stood alone.

Her silver-blonde hair, once a symbol of grace and nobility, was now stained with ashes and blood. Her body trembled with exhaustion, yet she held her ground, a warrior, a mother, a shield.

Before her, a dozen figures stood in the shadows, cloaked in abyssal black. Their eyes gleamed beneath their hoods—merciless, patient, watching.

One step forward, and vines lashed out like serpents, tearing apart another assassin. The earth itself obeyed her.

Another step, and emerald magic surged, forming a barrier around the estate, keeping her children safe.

Her enemies hesitated.

Because despite their numbers—

She was still winning.

---

Seraphina exhaled sharply, blood dripping from a deep gash on her shoulder.

She was stronger than them.

Her magic was superior.

But—she was not fighting alone.

She was protecting.

Every time she struck down an enemy, another blade came for her back.

Every time she countered, another spell forced her to shield her children.

Every time she moved, she had to be careful, because behind her—

Alistair and Elaine were watching.

Cowering in the ruins, their small figures barely hidden behind a broken statue of their ancestor.

If it were just her, she would have burned them all to nothing.

But she could not risk it.

Not when her children were here.

Not when they were still too weak.

---

A Fight Slowly Lost

An assassin lunged.

She dodged, her blade flashing—a clean decapitation.

A second attacker followed, their mana-infused spear aiming for her chest.

She raised her palm—a pulse of energy sent them flying into the burning walls.

Yet, even as she fought, more came.

Each movement cost her speed.

Each wound drained her strength.

Her breath grew ragged.

Her body slowed.

And the enemy realized it.

One slipped through her defense, their dagger carving a line across her side.

Another sent a blast of dark energy, striking her shoulder, shattering part of her armor.

She staggered.

And in that moment—

A blade pierced her stomach.

Alistair stopped breathing.

Elaine screamed.

---

Seraphina gasped, her body shaking.

Her hands clenched around the sword buried in her abdomen—but she did not fall.

Her eyes blazed with mana, emerald light surging as she ripped the blade out and turned it against its owner, running them through.

The assassin choked, falling lifelessly to the ground.

Even on the brink of death, she would not fall so easily.

But she knew.

They had won.

She could no longer protect them.

A slow clap echoed through the battlefield.

The leader stepped forward.

A man clad in abyssal robes, his face partially obscured, his crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

He knelt before her fallen form, tilting his head as if studying a rare, beautiful painting.

Then—he smiled.

"You fought well, Lady Vaelthorne. A mother's love is truly… terrifying."

Seraphina glared at him, her breaths coming in short, ragged bursts.

Her mana flared weakly—but she could no longer stand.

The leader leaned in, voice low.

"But this was never about you."

His gaze shifted, turning toward the children still hiding in the ruins.

"This happened because of them."

Alistair's entire body went numb.

Elaine shook violently, tears falling from her wide, terrified eyes.

Seraphina's hand twitched, as if to reach them, but the movement was weak.

The leader chuckled softly.

"Had they not been here, you would have survived. You know this, don't you?"

Seraphina's lips parted—but no words came.

She wanted to deny it.

She wanted to scream, to tell her son it wasn't true.

But she couldn't.

Because deep down—

She knew the truth.

Her children had made her hesitate.

And hesitation had killed her.

The leader stood, dusting off his cloak.

"One life for a message. That was all we needed."

His gaze flicked toward Alistair, who sat frozen, staring at his mother's fallen form.

"Remember this, little wolf. This was your doing."

And with that—they vanished into the darkness.

---

A New Truth is Born

The battle was over.

Seraphina lay in a pool of blood, her once-bright magic flickering like a dying ember.

Alistair crawled forward, his hands trembling as he reached for her.

His mother—the strongest person he had ever known.

"M-Mother?" His voice cracked.

Her eyes slowly turned to him, their once-vibrant blue now dull, fading.

Her lips curved into the faintest smile.

"...Alistair… Elaine…"

She reached for them—but her hand fell, motionless.

She was gone.

Something inside him snapped.

His mind screamed in protest, but his body refused to move.

He could feel Elaine shaking beside him, her sobs filling the air.

But Alistair?

He was silent.

Because in that moment—he understood.

Power was the only truth.

If he had been stronger—this would not have happened.

If they had been stronger—their mother would still be alive.

The weak perish.

The strong command fate.

That day, the boy who once dreamed of becoming a hero died.

And in his place—

A monster was born.

---