1nightfall

Tanver Raye has everything—wealth, status, and a family name that commands respect. Yet, beneath the surface, something has always felt… off. No matter how hard he works, how flawlessly he upholds his family’s honor, there’s an emptiness he can’t explain.

Then, one evening, a stranger arrives at the estate. A single moment unravels everything he believed to be true.

A name. A truth. A past long buried.

Now, faced with a reality he never saw coming, Tanver must confront the shadows lurking in his own mind. Because some bonds are built on lies, and some destinies were never meant to be his.

And in the end, who is he really, if not the son of House Raye?

The Broken Abyss

The wind carried a distant chill as I stepped onto the dirt path, leaving behind the grand estate that had never truly been my home. My heart was heavy, but my resolve was set. I didn't look back.

As I walked, my mind drifted to the world beyond Eldoria—the Sun-Moon Continent. It was vast, home to four great kingdoms, each with its own history and power struggles.

Eldoria, the land I was abandoning, was known for its rigid nobility and deep traditions. It was strong, but not the mightiest. The people here valued lineage over strength, blood over talent. That was why I had been discarded so easily.

To the north was Zephiron, a kingdom built on war and conquest. They produced the fiercest warriors, their might unquestioned on the battlefield. But power came with its own dangers—Zephiron was unstable, ruled by warlords constantly shifting allegiances.

The western lands belonged to Varethia, a kingdom shrouded in secrecy. They controlled knowledge, scholars, and ancient relics that could alter the balance of power. Some whispered that their rulers had access to forbidden arts, but few dared to speak openly about it.

Then there was Solmaria, the kingdom I had chosen. A land known for its freedom and opportunities. It wasn't the strongest, nor was it the wealthiest, but it was a place where even the abandoned could carve out a future.

But first, I had to survive the journey.

The forest stretched endlessly before me, its towering trees blocking out the moonlight. The road was treacherous, winding through dense foliage and uneven terrain. Each step felt heavier, my body still aching from my last encounter with Alric.

His power had been suffocating. The moment he pointed at me, the world had seemed to collapse under an invisible force. My bones had groaned in protest, the air itself becoming too thick to breathe. I had felt small. Helpless.

It had been the first time I truly understood the difference between us.

I clenched my fists. The memory burned, but it also fueled me. If power was what separated me from my so-called family, then I would find it for myself.

The crunch of leaves ahead snapped me from my thoughts. Voices.

I ducked behind a tree, peering through the shadows. A small group of travelers was gathered near a clearing, setting up a makeshift camp. Their clothes were worn but sturdy, their weapons within reach.

I could avoid them, but traveling alone was risky. Bandits lurked in forests like these, and I had nothing but the clothes on my back.

Taking a breath, I stepped forward.

The moment I did, several heads turned toward me. Hands moved toward weapons, eyes scanning me with suspicion.

One of them, a man with a scar over his brow, spoke first. "Who are you?"

I hesitated for only a second. My name—Tanver Raye—no longer belonged to me. It was tied to a past I had left behind.

"…Kael," I said. "Just a traveler heading to Solmaria."

The man studied me for a moment before nodding. "We're headed the same way. You can sit by the fire if you don't cause trouble."

I stepped closer, the warmth of the flames brushing against my skin. As I sat, I could feel their eyes on me, curiosity unspoken.

Now, I needed to change everything else.

Chapter 11: A World Beyond