Chapter 28: Learning to Live

POV – Kael Lanpar(Memory before waking from the mental collapse)

Slowly, as my mind drifted away from the physical plane I once thought belonged to me, pain began to spread through every part of my body. That was when, for the first time, I saw true despair in my own eyes.

Even though I could only see darkness in front of me, for some strange reason… I could see myself. Or rather, I could feel myself. It was the sensation of having lost—without even getting the chance to fight.

My body, lying on a thin sheet of water, began to sink. Not just into despair… but quite literally, into a liquid that consumed me without pause.

I didn't know if it was my imagination… or maybe my mind building a barrier to protect itself from the collapse. But the only thing I felt was that I was floating—alone, abandoned in a sea I once believed to be a second chance… not realizing that, in truth, it had always been the first.

And the last I would ever get.

In this infinite ocean that seemed to wrap around all of existence, I felt hollow. I wasn't drowning in water… but I lost my breath every time I thought my existence had been a lie.I was killing myself slowly… drowning in my own pain.

"I just wanted to live," I whispered to the abyss. "What kind of living being deserves to be condemned for wanting their own happiness?"

I tried to distract myself by watching the bubbles escape my mouth, heavy like my breath. But I no longer wanted to keep going. I had given up.

I closed my eyes slowly. I wanted to abandon my thoughts. I felt my strength fading… my body ceasing to respond, sinking deeper and deeper into this sea of pain and regret.

"Already giving up? Just like that?" a voice echoed through the space, forcing my eyes open.

"What the…?" I gasped, as I saw a massive hand emerge, pulling me up from the depths of my own thoughts.

I was yanked out of the water in an instant. Light returned—faint, but real. The place I arrived at was dark, but bathed in the soft glow that filtered through enormous, medieval stained-glass windows.

I tried to break free from the grip… but as I looked closely, I realized the hand wasn't human. It was part of a statue, carved from solid stone, cracked by an age far beyond reckoning.

"Calur…" I heard. "That name… wait… damn it. You're…"

(Perspective shift)The Fragment

Swallowing hard, the fragment immediately recognized who was in front of him: a shadow of the creator who had brought him into this world.

"Damn it, let me go, you bastard!" he shouted, but was ignored by the imposing man sitting on the dark throne.

His eyes said everything: a hatred overflowing. Eyes so intense that, if they had the power, they could have annihilated half the world in a single glance. Maybe… just maybe, that hatred was justified. And the fragment knew it.

With a simple motion of his hand, the figure on the throne caused the statue's grip to loosen. The fragment fell to the floor with a dull thud. The echo rang through the entire hall.

The pain came instantly. He felt his legs fracture. For a moment, he even thought he heard his bones snap.

"Aaahhh!" the fragment screamed, coughing up blood. "Why? What did I do to you? I swear I'm going to kill you!"

"I don't doubt it," the figure whispered as he began to walk slowly toward him.

The fragment, barely clinging to life, began to crawl across the floor, leaving a trail of blood behind him. His broken nails scraped the ground as he dragged himself forward, moved by hatred alone.

The figure didn't move. He just watched. And when the fragment finally reached his feet, that gaze—not of fury now, but of profound sorrow—was the last thing he saw.

In that moment, he knew.He had made his greatest mistake.

In a single instant, he felt the foot of the one he hated most begin to crush his skull, leaving him no chance to escape.

"Calur…" the figure whispered, in a tone that seemed to summon something far older than either of them.

(Perspective shift)

POV – Kael Lanpar

The hatred I felt for Matías was inhuman. So visceral that I could barely think straight.But that wasn't the worst part…

I could feel my head being crushed against the ground, my mouth kissing the cold stone—already wet with my own blood.

And the worst of all… was that I had no control over anything.

That damned Calur…That divine eye, capable of breaking the very rules of existence…

Had already condemned me—just by being named.

With the fragmented memories of a past life—a damned psychopath who seemed to enjoy every moment I bowed before him—I knew that if that door didn't open, if I didn't escape, this would be the end of me.

"How pitiful… I thought you'd at least try to fight," Matías said, increasing the pressure of his foot against my head. "You still don't understand your existence… or the reason you're even breathing."

As he said those words, I felt my skull begin to crack. The pain surged through every part of my body. I knew I was about to die… but I had no way out.

Crack.

"Calur…" That word was already driving me insane.

I gasped for air. My body returned to its original state—right at the moment the stone hand was still holding me aloft, forcing me to look Matías in the eye.

The pain from my shattered bones, from my skull crushed by the power of that maniac who could rewind time just for fun… now felt distant.As if someone else had died.

"What are you trying to prove by killing me?" I asked between ragged breaths, biting my lip, trying to forget the horrifying sensation of dying.

"I gain nothing from killing you," he said, rising from his throne made of tormented souls. "But taking your life showed me… you don't deserve to live."

His words didn't fill me with rage.They made me think.

Before knowing I was just a puppet, I had wanted—with every part of me—to live a peaceful life. Or better said: to learn how to live it… like a human.

The stone hand slowly lowered me until I was kneeling on the floor. Tears began to fall. I saw the opportunity I had lost… and the emptiness became unbearable.

"You're so innocent…" Matías whispered, stepping closer. "Even with all that hatred inside you… what you regret most is not having lived. Not having loved. Not having cried."

My body trembled. I saw his shoes approach. I slowly looked up and saw him—tears in his eyes, asking for forgiveness… kneeling.

I swallowed hard as he brought himself down to my level.And then I saw it—that look.

That blend of pain, guilt, and remorse I had seen so many times in Matías's memories… was now right in front of me.

His hand reached for my head. He held it firmly and pressed his forehead against mine.He forced me to look him in the eyes.I trembled, unable to move.

"Sometimes… I regret creating you," he whispered. "Not because of your existence… but because I forced you to live. I condemned you to survive this cycle of suffering."

"W-what are you saying?" I stammered, not looking away. "Why are you crying?"

"For making you suffer. For seeing… my most innocent part cry again," he said, sobbing. "I hope that one day… you'll understand."

For a moment, my sanity and strength returned. I staggered backward, stumbling as I tried to run. I forced myself to my feet and dashed into the darkness, desperate to escape.

The last thing I heard, in a broken voice, was:"Forgive me."

(End of memory)

"Kael… Kael! I'm talking to you!" Airis's shout yanked me from my thoughts and back into reality.

"Ah… sorry, Airis. Were you saying something?" I asked, still shaken by the memory.

"Of course I was talking, you idiot!" she snapped, slightly annoyed. "You promised you'd tell me what my father said."

"Oh, right… sorry," I replied, scratching the back of my head awkwardly. "Where were we? Oh yeah… I remember now…"

Throughout the entire journey to the estate, we crossed every corner of the elven forest, drawing closer step by step to our destination.

As I had promised, I told Airis about her father. I spoke of his words, his tone, his silences.In some parts… I lied.I gave her phrases he never said. All just to see her smile.

Maybe I was only trying to distract myself with the conversation.Or maybe I just wanted to ignore the fact that I had just died twice—once physically, and once in my soul.

"Attention, everyone!" my grandfather shouted. "We're almost there."

The echo of his voice stirred the crystal beasts of the region and the dark quartz golems.Both reacted to our presence.

From the branches of the trees—where the wind played with the leaves—I could see massive colossi awakening from their long slumber. They began their task…

The protection of the Astrals' home.

"Why is there so much security activated?" I whispered into the air, but my grandfather heard me.

"For the same reason we had to return so suddenly," he replied tensely. "The day has come. And we must be ready for anything."

Both Airis and my grandfather descended from the branches, landing at the estate's entrance. There, waiting for us… were my parents.And my sisters.

"Wind curtain," I murmured as I descended, landing gracefully beside the group.

The first thing that welcomed me—besides the fresh grass pulsing with life—was my father's hardened gaze.There was no hatred in his eyes…But there was a desperation disguised as resolve.

"Did you find the information I asked for?" he said to my grandfather.

"Don't you think this would be better discussed in private?" my grandfather replied, visibly irritated. "It's confidential… and you know it."

"In less than fifteen hours, the Summit of the Realms begins," my father said sternly. "We don't have time for formalities, Luis."

I saw my grandfather sigh. He closed his eyes, and with a heavy voice, replied:"The bodies that were buried in the Sacred Land…"He paused, taking a deep breath."…are no longer resting underground."

His words didn't ease my father's tension. They made it worse. I saw his fists clench tightly, and his jaw stiffen as if holding back a storm.

And things only got worse.

Turning my head, I saw my sister covering Airis's ears. She didn't want her to hear the conversation. And with good reason—her race's dead, her people… had been desecrated. Most likely stolen for experiments.

"Wasn't the Summit of the Realms supposed to happen two years ago?" I asked, concerned.

"It was, Kal," my sister replied, still shielding Airis's ears. "But the attacks on the kingdom's cities—including the capital—delayed everything. The deadline got… pushed too far."

I wanted to keep asking. To understand why everyone looked like they were carrying the end of the world on their shoulders.But then, the rain began to fall.

First gently. Then more intensely.

"I want everyone ready!" my father roared. "We leave in a few hours. Be on time—understood?"

Everyone responded with a firm "Yes."Everyone… except me.

My mother followed after him, handing my little sister to my grandmother, who immediately left for the estate mansion.Everyone went their separate ways.

I stayed still… standing in the rain, which wouldn't stop falling.

"Kal, hurry up! You'll get sick if you stay out here!" my sister shouted, running toward me with a makeshift umbrella.

"Why is everyone acting like this?" I asked without looking at her, eyes distant. "What changed?"

"These aren't good times, Kal," she said, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the mansion. "But I promise things will get better… Just give it time."

I had rarely seen my father lose his composure.That unshakable figure—that king who never bent to fear… now felt like nothing more than a memory.

And even though I was still young, Matías's memories told me one thing clearly:This was not a good sign.

"Lord Lanpar, shall I bring you a towel?" one of the staff asked. "Are you all right, young prince?"

"Yes… yeah, I'm fine," I replied with a forced smile. "Just call me Kael. Forget the whole 'prince' thing."

"As you wish, Lord—uh, I mean, Kael," she said before heading off to get the towel.

"How strange…" I murmured.

Something was glowing inside my pocket. A light beginning to intensify. I reached in… and then I recognized it.

It was the letter my father had given me before the journey.

Now it had floating particles of light surrounding it… forming a lock that was slowly opening.The magical seal had broken.

I opened it carefully.Inside: a single page.And the first words surprised me just as much as the sender did.

Magical LetterFrom Lola Schmerzklan

You probably don't know who I am.And the fact that you're reading this now probably makes me seem like a terrible protector.

I'm not writing to apologize.Maybe, one day, you'll understand that a mage's life is never easy—and even less so for a Broker.

People like me live our lives protecting others, even at the cost of those we love.That title that sounds so noble—being one of the strongest people on the continent—is really just a sentence to solitude.

Setting that aside… I just wanted to say hello.And give you an imaginary hug, because I can't give you one in person.That hurts more than I can express.

I swore to your father that I'd always be by your side.That grumpy old man may be going through his own hell right now,but that… that's the curse of the pillars.

When we become foundations of the world—by faith, by power, or by ideology—we walk paths we never chose…paths full of endless duty.

Regret.Sacrifices that don't always make sense.And the pain of a soul…that only wanted to be free.

Anyway, I think we'll see each other soon.

With love,Your protector,Lola, the Goddess of Thunder.

Sometimes I'm amazed at how powerful certain things in this world can be. So intense, so symbolic…that they're capable of uniting multiple concepts into a single message.

They reach you at the exact right moment, shake you, force you to reflect—and with that, they make sure you're never the same person again.

"Lord Kael, here's your towel," said the same attendant from earlier.

"Really?" I sighed, with a tired smile. "Thank you."

"Little prince, I know you asked me not to call you that," she said warmly, "but your family… your father… they've defended our lives so many times. The least we can do is show you the respect you deserve."

I let out a small smile as I watched her leave. Then, I headed straight to my room. The formal clothes were already laid out on the bed. I picked them up and began to get dressed.

"Kael, my love, we're about to leave," I heard my mother call from the other side of the door.

"I'm almost ready," I replied, combing my hair while looking at myself in the mirror.

"I think I look decent enough," I thought.

I was wearing a white shirt made from lunar bear scales. Over my shoulders, the Lanpar crest held a cape that fluttered elegantly in the breeze coming through the open window.

"Do you hear me, Kael? Can you hear me when I say this?"

A voice echoed through the room, startling me instantly.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my pants from falling. "Where are you?"

"Don't worry, boy," the voice softened. "It's Vastiar. I'm speaking to you from inside your mind."

"What…?" I exclaimed, quickly moving toward the Crimson Shadow Dagger.

In the glowing blade, I could see the reflection of Vastiar's soul…watching me calmly.

"I didn't know blood pacts allowed someone to speak from beyond," I murmured, still holding the dagger.

"Don't be so dramatic," he replied with a short laugh. "It's not some magic from the afterlife. My soul is here—with you.I've been suppressing your suffering… and the dark thoughts eating away at you."

"How long will that suppression seal last?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"I don't know," he replied firmly. "But when it breaks… I hope you'll be strong enough to endure it.We'll talk later—someone's coming."

Just as Vastiar had said, I began to hear footsteps approaching my room. They were soft, and from the rhythm, I could tell it was my sister.

"So it was a seal…" I thought. "If Vastiar hadn't helped me again, I might have died. Again."

I was dependent on him. On that suppression—like a pill just to survive.

But life doesn't work that way.

"Kal, are you dressed yet?" Mai asked, pushing the door open slightly. "Dad says we need to go straight to the carriage."

"Yeah, I'm ready, Mai," I answered with a smile. "You can come in."

Mayrei stepped in, carrying a tired and somber expression—a look no child should ever have to wear.

"Hahaha! Seriously… you can't show up at the meeting with that hair," she laughed. "What did you use to fix it—a fork?"

"Honestly… I didn't even brush it," I admitted with a chuckle. "Can you help me?"

She nodded and grabbed the brush. After several minutes of trying out the best possible hairstyle, we were all seated inside the royal carriage.The atmosphere… was silent.

"I want to apologize for my behavior," my father said, breaking the silence. "These past days haven't been easy. I know that doesn't justify how I've treated you."

"I'm not asking for forgiveness, because maybe I don't deserve it—as a father," he added, lowering his gaze. "But as a king… as your guide, I ask you not to let my mistakes poison your hearts."

"We've all been fighting our own battles," my sister said. "But even so… we're still moving forward."

"Together, as a family," my mother added, gently stroking my little sister's head as she slept in her arms. "That's what we are."

The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable.It was comforting.The kind of silence that only exists when love and mutual care are present.

"Your Majesty, we're arriving at the Palace of Snow," the coachman announced.

"The people trust us," my father said, trying to inspire courage in us. "We are their hope. Their light."

But I had learned not to trust in beautiful illusions.

Peace… is always temporary.A fragile illusion.

And with everything that's happened…It's likely that tonight won't bring anything good.