I can’t wait any longer, I believe something must have happened!

A young girl was running in the middle of the streets.

She seemed not be fifteen, she was wearing a green dress and her blond hair was jumping up and down as she was running. She wasn’t showing a lot of expressions, but her eyes were slightly narrowed as she glanced forward towards the castle.

The young girl – Eline la Ville, she was feeling uneasy since the day she sensed the malicious aura.

She didn’t glance at the civilians as she was rushing forward, her feet were tapping the ground softly, but it pushed her tens of meters ahead.

She could see in the corner of her eyes that the buildings and shops became less and less the further she ran.

In front of her, stood guards in shining silver armour.

“Halt!”

A guard with red hair down to her shoulders shouted in a loud voice.

The guard glared at Eline cautiously, she would, of course, stop anyone which was sprinting towards the castle.

She wrinkled her nose as she looked closely at Eline and asked.

“Aren’t you the Young Lady of the la Ville Guardian Family?”

Eline breathed in air as sweat was falling down her face, she nodded as she glanced at the guard.

“Yes, I am.”

“Then, what are your reason for visiting today? Has the Madam of la Villa anything to report?”

The guard stared at Eline, she has been a guard since the beginning and she knows that she must clearly stare at the guests to see if their expressions change or not. Because it’s her mission to send off any unwanted guests and potential threats.

Eline shook her head as she looked into the guard’s eyes and spoke clearly.

“I’m here to see Shin.”

“You’re here to meet the Young Master?”

The guard stared at Eline while slightly narrowing her eyes.

She had heard many rumours by the guards and maids which have seen Shin, that his body is fragile and is currently ill too.

“What’s your reason to meet him? Answer properly or you will not come one step closer.”

The guard said in a powerful voice.

“Leria, step away.”

As the red-haired guard – Leria stood like an unmovable mountain, a soft voice sounded out.

“The Empress has allowed her to enter.”

Laura walked slowly forward from the castle and her voice reached Leria and Eline.

Laura glanced at Eline and spoke gently.

“Follow me.”

Her voice sounded gentle, but it was short and her eyes narrowed slightly. She turned around and walked.

Eline hurriedly rushed forward and walked a step behind Laura.

“Why have you decided to come today? Young lady of la Ville.”

Laura asked as she walked without looking back.

Eline clenched her teeth as she tried answering Laura.

“I felt like something bad happened to Shin.”

“My heart won’t stop beating swiftly and my thoughts wander to Shin no matter what.”

Laura’s expression froze for a second, but she walked without any change.

Hmm?

Laura snickered from a thought as her lips curved upwards slightly.

Does she like him?

“Young master is currently in the courtyard, trying a couple of weapons he was given from Kali and the Empress.”

Eline frowned when she heard what Laura said.

“May I ask something?”

“Depends on what it is.”

Laura said so and didn’t bother glancing at Eline.

“Where did Shin live before coming here?”

Eline asked while glancing at Laura’s back.

“Humph!”

Laura abruptly stopped and turned around swiftly.

She was frowning and her eyes were coldly staring at Eline.

“Do never ask that and never talk about his past in front of Shin!”

Laura’s voice was cold as she was emitting an aura which made Eline shiver.

Everything happened too quickly and Eline had no way to think before Laura’s aura spread out.

She was widening her eyes as it was trembling, her whole body was shivering and she couldn’t stop it.

“I-Is it that bad?”

Eline asked once again, not wanting to let this chance go.

“I will not say this once more.”

“Even if you are the young lady of the la Ville family, I will not allow you to dig out traumas.”

Laura spoke in a slow and forceful tone while glaring at Eline.

“I understand.”

Eline managed only to nod shakenly.

She had already thought of several possibilities of what Shin might have been through, but none of them was terrifying to the point of disturbing.

“Follow me.”

Laura said and turned around, walking slightly faster than before.

Eline could only fasten her pace and walk behind Laura.

As Eline glanced around, she could see large walls around a courtyard, the courtyard itself was enormous. The ground was green with trimmed grass, on the left side was a gothic styled villa and in front of it was several chairs and tables.

Eline could see that there were three women who were sitting while watching a boy standing up.

She smiled as she saw Shin moving slowly with light footsteps on a pattern while slashing weapons in his hands.

Eline clearly saw that in Shin’s right hand, was a larger sword with a slight curve on it the metal was silver as Shin’s hair, it looked like an ancient katana which haven’t seen the light for ages.

The other weapon in Shin’s left hand was a dagger with a mix of black and red coloured metal.

Eline could only foolishly smile as she saw Shin’s wobbly figure as he was trying to step in a specific pattern.

But, she was tilting her head slightly to the left as she was wondering why Shin was keeping his eyes closed.

As Laura and Eline walked closer, their footsteps could be heard.

Kali didn’t bother glancing at them as she knew from a long time ago that they would arrive.

Peutoa didn’t send a glance either, she was only sitting there watching Shin with no expression showing on her face.

Aria was the only one who glanced shortly at Laura and Eline before keeping her eyes back at Shin with a slight smile on her face.

As the footsteps could be heard louder, Shin tilted his head towards Laura’s and Eline’s direction.

The only thing what Shin didn’t think of, was his balance.

Shin’s left foot tripped his right foot as he was still trying to walk the pattern he had in his mind.

Shin could only feel that he was falling, Shin swiftly thought of the weapons returning as the black ring on his right hand shined briefly. With his empty hands, Shin placed both hands to cover his face.

Aria stood up and walked towards Shin, still with a soft smile on her face.

Kali raised her eyebrows as he sent a quick glance towards Eline.

Still, as ever, Peutoa’s expression didn’t change. But, her fingers twitched and she clearly wanted to stand up and help Shin from the ground.

Laura stepped forward with Eline behind her.

The only one who was slightly clueless was Eline.

“Shin, are you alright?”

Aria asked softly while helping Shin on his feet, she patted the dust off his purple robe as she was staring at Shin with warm eyes. Her whole being was emitting a heartfelt aura.

“Uhm, I’m fine.”

Shin smiled happily as he answered Aria.

“Those two weapons were fun, can I keep them?”

He asked while raising his eyebrows, Shin was really excited while handling those swords.

“Hehe, no matter what you like, everything is yours.”

Aria giggled as she answered Shin.

As Shin remembered something, he turned his body around towards where he heard the footsteps.

“Laura, are you back?”

Shin asked carefully, he could only hear footsteps and nothing more.

“Yes, young master. Someone showed up in front of the gate, so I let the guest in.”

Laura spoke in a soft tone while staring at Shin’s face.

“Visitors? Is it someone I know?”

Shin asked in a slightly loud voice and tried looking around with both eyes closed.

“Hehe. Truly, it is someone you know.”

Aria said while giggling.

“W-Why aren’t you opening your eyes, Shin?”

Eline’s trembling voice sounded out, she didn’t know why, but she had a bad premonition.

“This voice sounds familiar.”

Shin pouted as he thought for a while, suddenly his eyebrows rose as he showed a happy expression.

“Is it Eline?”

“Why aren’t you opening your eyes!?”

Eline roared out loudly as she glared at Shin, her heart was beating quicker and a cold sweat started to drip down her face.

Kali raised her head and glanced at Eline at the corner of her eyes.

Humph!

Did you really have to ask that?

The most favoured child of la Ville family for nothing…

Shin’s smile vanished and all of his expressions disappeared.

The air around Shin turned solemn as he slowly opened his eyes.

Eline could only blankly stare at Shin. When she saw his face vacant of any emotions, she felt like she was looking at an object of pain.

As Shin’s eyelids slowly opened, Eline clenched her fist together, making it white pale because of the force she was using.

Tears started to emerge from Eline’s eyes as it ran down her cheeks when she saw his eyes devoided of light.

“W-Why?”

Why did it happen?

Shin slowly closed his eyelids again, a smile appeared on his face once again as he talked in an overjoyed tone.

“It was necessary.”

“If one wants to gain something, you must pay an equal price for it.”

Shin raised his right hand to his face and covered his eyes.

“For me to find a piece of truth and peace, it required a price.”

“These eyes of mine could clearly see everything, but not the truth. I will follow my heart.”

“One day when I can see everything clearly with my heart, these eyes of mine will be reborn, like the phoenixes who shall rise from the ashes!”

“Hihihi, when did you learn to speak those fancy words, Shin?”

Kali laughed out loud when Shin finished, even when she was laughing, her eyes were glaring at Shin’s unmoveable stature with a serious expression and a slight smile on her face.

“You really know how to ruin the cool moments…”

Shin pouted as he raised his fist towards Kali while shaking it.

What truth?

What peace?

Eyes which can see but can’t, a heart which can see what the eyes can’t.

Eline was in deep thought, she didn’t even hear Kali’s joke or Shin’s rebuttal.

“Hehe, you’re so cute.”

Aria who was standing right behind Shin reached out her left hand and pinched Shin’s soft cheeks tenderly.

Shin pouted but didn’t push Aria’s hand away.

“Eline, let’s sit down and talk, tell me all about how the city is!”

Shin said while grabbing Aria’s hand, wanting her to lead him to his chair.

Eline nodded while still being in a daze and started walking stiffly forward.

Outskirts of the Kingdom of Alizad

An elderly man was standing above the forest, several kilometres around him was destroyed.

He glanced down at the two bodies which were laying there with their bodies cut in several pieces, the common thing was that they were both wearing a red robe which could cover their whole bodies.

“Quicker than I thought…”

Hath Kagatsu mumbled while glancing at the two bodies.

“Keria, bless us the Guardians of Fate with your longevity and power, let us defend the world Kerika in the name of the Gods and you; Keria.”

Hath Kagatsu continued to mumble as he flew further into the depths of the horizon.

In a faraway place.

A person was standing in front of a sculpture.

The sculpture was a robed person holding a knife and cutting a child’s throat.

The person in front of the sculpture was wearing a red robe.

“The last Guardian of Fate, is it?”

The person’s voice was flat without any kind of tone, no one knew if that person wearing the robe was a male or a female.

“Humph!”

“Seems like I have to thank you for leading us to him; Shin, was it?”

“Hahaha, what a joke!”

The person raised his voice, connecting his mind to the thousands of people which was roaming around the continent.

“Head to the capital of Alizad!”

“Rush and destroy everything in your paths and find the Child!”

The person raised its head.

“Guardian or not, I will kill the child with my own hands!”

The Kingdom of Leran

The palace

“Your Majesty!”

A middle-aged male kneeled down, glancing at the brown-skinned emperor with fierce red hair.

“I know!”

“In the name of the Emperor Leo Lenan, we will set out today!”

The Emperor – Leo Lenan, stood up from his throne with a cold gaze.

“Freezing Highness? Humph!”

“Seems like someone is looking for you, let me join in on the feast of blood!”

In the deepest part of Shin

Thirteen sculptures were standing there in a half circle, they were shining with bright and different colours. There was only one sculpture which had a weaker light, it was light-yellow.

The one in the middle was grey, to its right was a red one.

“Did anyone else feel that?”

A voice came from the grey sculpture; its voice was soft.

“Those kids will not be able to protect our Liege.”

“Why can I not go and slaughter all the enemies of our Liege!?”

A sculpture further away spoke its mind, his voice was rough and only spoke of murder and slaughters.

“Big dumb guy, do you want to hurt little Shin again!?”

The pink sculpture raised her voice and spoke in a cold tone.

“I dare you to do so, I will personally rip your head off from your neck with my hands!”

“Will you let our Liege’s life be in their petty hands!?”

“Who needs the protection from a muscle-brained guy.”

“She does have right there.”

“But it is true that they won’t be able to win.”

“What’s our best plan? Hey Kuugo, what do you think?”

As the Guardians spoke loudly, they all came to the same conclusion; ask Kuugo…

The silver sculpture which had been silent the entire time spoke out clearly.

“We will do nothing.”

“Our Lord stated that we will do nothing and nothing we will do.”

His voice was soft, it didn’t even hold any type of hesitation.

“If something happens at that time, I will shatter my sculpture for his sake.”

“Hey Kuugo, what are you talking about!?”

“You can’t be serious!”

“I am serious…”

Kuugo said while thinking of something that happened a long time ago.

“If someone has to sacrifice their sculpture, it should be mine.”

“Everything comes back to you, no matter what had been done in the past, it will never vanish.”

“This time, if someone really happens out of our calculations, I will stand bravely in front of the abyss and take my punishments.”

No one spoke further when Kuugo’s voice spread out in the darkness.

The capital of Alizad

“Is that true, Eline?”

Shin raised his eyebrows and turned his head to the left, towards Aria.

“Mother, I want to visit the city with Eline and play.”

Aria chuckled and tenderly caressed Shin’s cheeks.

“Hmm…”

“Only if you let someone stay with you, I don’t think it would be that good for the Empress to walk around the city. So, either Kali or Peutoa has to be with you at all time, do you understand?”

“Hihi, I will go out with them.”

Kali covered her mouth as she giggled.

“I will go too, as one of his Guardians, I will protect him with my life.”

Peutoa suddenly spoke, she wasn’t showing any facial expression, but her eyes were filled with determination.

“That really sounds weird when you say it out loud.”

Shin awkwardly tried to look away in another direction as his cheeks turned red.

“Guardian?”

Eline which heard something out of line asked without thinking twice.

“Eline la Ville, there are things which aren't good for you to know.”

Aria’s voice was solemn as her voice was slightly colder than when she spoke with Shin.

“I am sorry, your highness!”

Eline bowed deeply as she suddenly realized once again, the woman in front of her was the Empress!

“Mother, you’re scaring her.”

Shin grabbed Aria’s hand while slightly pouting.

“Hehe, I’m sorry Shin. But, you should know it too, not everything can be told, at least for now.”

Aria said while touching Shin’s soft hair, combing it back with her hand.

“I understand.”

Shin knew also that not everything should be told, at least not his own Guardians.