Hali approached Afrel, his steps uncertain. The servant stood at the base of the grand staircase, waiting with his usual composed demeanor, though something about his expression betrayed a flicker of nervousness. A sheen of sweat glistened on Hali's forehead, catching the morning light that poured in from the open doorway.
"Is something wrong, young master?" Afrel asked, his voice calm yet touched with concern. His dark eyes studied Hali carefully, searching for something—perhaps reassurance that the young master had not suddenly lost his senses.
Hali hesitated. Everything felt unfamiliar, despite the memories that had been forcefully grafted into his mind. This place, these people, this life—none of it belonged to him. The weight of his situation pressed down on his chest like an iron vice.
"Uh… No," he stammered, fumbling over the words. He wasn't sure what else to say. He had nothing to compare this experience to, nothing that could have prepared him for the jarring reality of waking up in a world that was not his own.
Afrel seemed to notice the unease in his expression but did not press further. Instead, he merely nodded. "Very well. Your father is waiting for you at the carriage."
Father. The word felt foreign, as though it did not belong to him. His real parents had been gone for years, and now he was expected to see a stranger as his father? The thought made his stomach twist uncomfortably.
"Thank you," he muttered, his voice low.
Afrel shook his head with a small smile. "No need to thank me, young master. Now go on, before you keep him waiting." With that, Afrel pushed open the doors, revealing the breathtaking expanse of the Damas estate.
The garden stretched endlessly before him, vibrant with colors that seemed almost too vivid to be real. Flowers of deep crimson and royal blue lined the stone pathways, their petals glistening with the morning dew. Towering white magnolia trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches heavy with blossoms. In the distance, marble statues of past family ancestors loomed over the grounds, their solemn faces frozen in time.
Three grand staircases led down from the entrance, each one carved from polished marble, their surfaces gleaming under the morning sun. At the bottom of the steps, standing tall and commanding in his presence, was Julius Damas.
Hali's new father.
The man was locked in conversation with a gardener, his deep voice carrying across the courtyard. He was an imposing figure—broad-shouldered, with an air of authority that was impossible to ignore. His dark hair was streaked with silver at the temples, adding to his regal presence. Despite the formidable aura he projected, there was a warmth to his tone as he spoke.
"Taking care of the garden, are we?" Julius remarked, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Yes, my lord. All thanks to you," the gardener responded, bowing deeply.
"Good. Keep up the work," Julius said with a firm nod before turning his gaze toward Hali. Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, an unsettling wave of déjà vu washed over Hali. It was strange. Though he had never met this man before today, the memories of Ilis Damas painted him in a thousand shades. Strict but fair. Cold but just. A father who demanded excellence, yet did not withhold affection when it was deserved.
This man was his father now. Julius took a step forward, his eyes scanning Hali with an unreadable expression. "Ready for departure, son?" Hali tensed at the word. Son. It felt like wearing an ill-fitted coat, unnatural and suffocating. Still, he swallowed the unease and nodded. "Yes," he answered, though the uncertainty in his voice betrayed him.
Julius didn't comment. Instead, he turned toward Afrel, who swiftly opened the carriage door. With a smooth motion, Julius stepped inside, expecting Hali to follow. Hali hesitated for only a fraction of a second before climbing in after him.
The carriage was lined with lavish velvet seats, the rich fabric pressing against his back as he settled in. Golden embroidery traced the edges of the cushions, and the faint scent of sandalwood and leather filled the enclosed space. The wheels creaked as the horses began their steady trot, and soon, the estate was but a memory behind them.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The rhythmic clatter of hooves against stone filled the silence, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. Hali's mind wandered.
The Xenon Empire stretched vast before them, its endless plains giving way to towering mountains in the distance. In the far-off reaches, the dark silhouettes of fortresses and spires loomed against the sky, marking the strongholds of noble families.
And yet, there was something missing.
The memories of Ilis Damas contained knowledge of the three great empires—the Xenon Empire to the west, the Aestrian Empire to the north, and the Feldan Empire to the south. But the east…The east was a void. His fingers curled slightly against the fabric of his sleeves as he turned to Julius."Father, I have a question."
Julius arched a brow. "Go on."
"In the north lies the Aestrian Empire, and to the west, the Xenon Empire. But what about the east?"
A chill settled over the carriage. Julius' expression shifted in an instant, the warmth in his eyes vanishing like a candle snuffed out by the wind. The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
"You..." Julius' voice was quiet, almost disbelieving. "Why are you asking that?"
Hali swallowed, suddenly uncertain. Did I say something I shouldn't have? He forced a casual chuckle, hoping to ease whatever tension he had unknowingly stirred. "I was just curious," he answered quickly. Julius studied him, eyes searching. Too searching. Then, after a long silence, he sighed and leaned back against his seat.
"I see. Then listen carefully, son."
Hali straightened, his unease mounting.
"To the east, there is nothing but The Dark Fog."
"The Dark Fog?" Hali repeated, his stomach tightening.
Julius' gaze turned distant, as if recalling something from long ago. "In the days of Aestros Zentus, the great hero who united the empires, he ventured north, west, and south to face an enemy unlike any other. But when he traveled east… he returned empty-handed."A heavy pause."No one speaks of the east anymore. The creatures that dwell there… the horrors that lurk beyond the fog… It is a place that should not be remembered."
Hali felt a cold shiver creep down his spine."What… what kind of creatures?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Julius' grim smile sent a fresh wave of unease through him.
"You don't want to know, son."
Hali pressed his lips together, forcing himself to remain silent as the weight of Julius' words settled upon him.The rest of the journey passed in uneasy quiet.
By the time the capital city came into view, Hali's mind was still plagued with questions. Then—
"ILIS!"
A sharp voice pierced through his thoughts. Hali turned, his heart stuttering at the sight before him. A young woman stood in the palace courtyard, her dark eyes locked onto him with intensity. Her short hair framed her face, and her elegance was unmistakable. Pege Vuzu. And behind her, three figures watched in silence. The past life of Ilis Damas had finally caught up with him. And there would be no turning back.