It has been a week now, and my vision hasn't returned yet. Although I still can't see normally, instead of complete darkness, I can see people's souls. It was a bit hard at first, but I’ve managed to get used to it.
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I then realized that my grandmother cursed me to endlessly return and suffer, all because of the forbidden love my parents shared.
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This might be why my father suddenly lost his emotions due to the curse, leading him to believe that my mother had an affair.
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Baron Samedi told me he initially thought my soul was inside the princess of this empire, Lychnis, since that was my true body.
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Later, he discovered that the mother of demons had taken over my body, sending my soul to different worlds and timelines.
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My memories are faint, so I can’t even remember if Baron Samedi is an enemy or an ally. But I do recall a man who pledged his loyalty to me the moment I opened my eyes in this world.
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I remember my mother smiling while a man with long silver hair held me. Yet I feel no connection to Baron Samedi.
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He said I can’t see his soul because he once submitted to a demon for power. Castor and Cara are my twin dragon familiars. According to the baron, each gifted human has a familiar, and mine—a dragon—symbolizes power and authority.
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Little by little, I’m managing to digest everything and grow accustomed to seeing only the souls of others. As I question myself, I wonder... What happened to Ermis? Is he safe? Where is he now? It’s been five years, I hope he’s doing well.
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---
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Time flies so fast, and it's already the end of their grade.
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"Huhuhu, I'm gonna miss you, Leth," Sienna said, tears streaming down her face.
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"Don't worry, we'll exchange letters," Leth replied with a gentle smile.
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They hugged each other goodbye before parting ways. Aeron accompanied Leth on her journey to the palace, while Caelum stayed in the magic tower to further refine his skills in magic.
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As Leth stared out of the carriage window, she noticed a strange plume of smoke. A sense of familiarity washed over her, and she gave a slight smirk as the carriage continued toward the palace.
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---
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Meanwhile, as they passed through the Willow Forest a place once destroyed by the emperor due to a demon ambush memories lingered of its tragic history.
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The willow tree stood as a sentinel of ancient wisdom, its gnarled trunk veined with silvery streaks that faintly glowed under the moonlight.
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Its long, drooping branches cascaded like a shimmering green waterfall, their leaves whispering secrets of forgotten realms whenever the wind danced through them.
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Tiny, bioluminescent orbs clung to the tips of the branches, flickering like stars caught in a gentle sway. Beneath its canopy, the air felt heavier, imbued with an ethereal calm that muffled the world outside.
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Legends whispered that the tree's roots reached into the heart of the earth, drawing upon magic as old as time itself. Those who sought solace or answers often found themselves drawn to the willow, its presence a silent promise of shelter, clarity, and the wisdom of ages.
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As they passed through, Leth's heart skipped a beat in horror. She caught sight of a shadowy figure lurking behind the tree.
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"Aeron!" she gasped, her voice trembling.
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Aeron, noticing her distress, frowned. "Leth! What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
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"I... I think I saw someone," she whispered shakily.
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Aeron quickly ordered the coachman to stop the carriage. He stepped outside to search for the suspicious figure but found nothing. As he turned back to the carriage, he froze Leth’s coat lay discarded on the ground.
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"Leth! Leth, where are you?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the eerie forest. No answer came. A chilling memory surfaced in his mind:
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"It is said that the willow tree was planted by the goddess of creation herself. Each tree can reveal your heart's deepest desires and answer your questions.
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But behind its cryptic answers lies a disturbing truth. These trees serve as warnings, reminding humans never to cross the boundaries between worlds."
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"It's just a myth," he muttered, gripping Leth's coat tightly. "Before the Great War, the willow tree stopped answering questions..."
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"Child," a sweet voice echoed around him, faint but persistent.
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Aeron felt his vision blur as dizziness overtook him. The voice seemed to pull him into a hypnotic trance.
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"Focus on what you aim for, and do not listen to the voices," another voice suddenly cut through, snapping Aeron back to his senses.
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"Huh?" Aeron turned to see a cloaked girl standing nearby. She was about the same height as Leth.
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"Who are you?" he asked.
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"You mustn't let the voices sway you if you want to escape this forest alive," the girl warned. "The willow tree might be magical, but without the blessing of the elf who guards it, you will remain trapped in its illusion forever."
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"Illusion?" Aeron asked, confused.
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He caught sight of a man standing behind the girl—a tall figure with long silver hair, his face obscured by a veil and a large hat.
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"Beware of the one you travel with," the girl whispered. "She is a devil with an angel's face."
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Before Aeron could respond, the girl vanished.
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---
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"Brother! Are you alright?" Leth's voice jolted him awake.
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"Leth...? You...?" Aeron murmured, disoriented.
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"Are you alright, brother?" she asked, her concern evident.
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"Was I... sleeping?" he asked, trying to piece his thoughts together.
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"Yes, and we're already at the capital. What happened to you?" Leth asked worriedly.
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"Nothing," Aeron replied, shaking his head as the carriage resumed its journey.
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---
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Meanwhile, back in the Willow Forest:
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"Was it her?" the cloaked girl asked.
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"Yes," the man replied.
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"Alright, let's continue the play and finish what we started," the girl said, her tone resolute.
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---
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At the Evigheden mansion:
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Lucian Evigheden, the eldest son at 17 years old, and Cedric Evigheden, aged 15, stood in the garden alongside their younger sister, Elena, who was just 6.
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The three of them mocked Ermis, who sat on the ground with a bleeding head. Beside him lay the shattered remains of a flower pot.
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"Haha, I don't understand why Father would take someone like you," Lucian said.
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"Maybe because, in Father's eyes, you're not worthy of becoming the next duke!" Elena shot back, standing protectively in front of her stepbrother, Ermis.
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"What the hell are you doing, Elena?" Cedric shouted, his shadow emerging behind him, scaring her.
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Ermis glared piercingly at Cedric through his shadow, which suddenly disappeared.
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"See? Did you see that? This guy is a total mess!" Cedric shouted in frustration.
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As Lucian moved to grab Ermis, their mother appeared.
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"Are you bullying Ermis again, Lucian?" Amara asked calmly.
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"M-Mother..." Lucian muttered, looking away.
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"Lucian... Your father and I love you both equally, but that doesn’t mean you can bully your brother," she said firmly.
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"He is not my brother! And he never will be!" Lucian shouted, storming out of the room.
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Amara sighed and helped Ermis to his feet. "I’m sorry about that, Ermis. And I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your graduation. Something urgent came up at the palace," she explained.
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"It’s fine," Ermis replied quietly.
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Amara smiled. "You know, I have a little gift for you." She handed him a small, old, rusty key.
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"Deep in the Willow Forest, you’ll find a strange, wooden door. The door only appears under the red full moon, which comes once a year. It hasn’t appeared yet this year, but when it does, this key will unlock something far greater than you could ever imagine," Amara said.
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"Wow! So magical! Ermis, take me with you, alright?" Elena said excitedly.
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"Elena, Ermis will go alone," Amara said, holding her daughter's hand.
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"Ehhh... Mom, you’re mean!" Elena pouted.
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---
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Later that evening, as Ermis practiced his swordsmanship alone, the duke approached him.
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"I couldn’t come earlier because of an emergency at the palace," the duke said.
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"D-Duke... Oh, it’s alright," Ermis replied.
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"We’re going to the palace tomorrow. You’ll come with me to participate in the war. Is that alright with you?" the duke asked.
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"I don’t mind at all, Duke, but... If you’re choosing me, doesn’t that mean you’re naming me your heir?" Ermis asked hesitantly.
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"Precisely," the duke confirmed.
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"But what about Lucian?" Ermis questioned.
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"You’ll understand the reason why when you enter that door," the duke said, smiling as he patted Ermis on the arm. "Now, get some good sleep. We’re leaving tomorrow."
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_________
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Ermis and the duke then went to the palace for the emperor to gave then his blessings while taking aeron with them.
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A lot have happened the duke, aeron and Ermis won each war. They conquer 3 kingdoms and eliminate dark forces this happen for almost 8 years going and fulfilling the oath. Yet the duke somehow got to leave for another order for his majesty he only serve in the war with Ermis and Aeron for 5 years.
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(5years ago at the palace)
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"Your Highness, Xyril is here." Commander Albert said.
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"Let him in" the duke said.
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"Duke Evigheden, his majesty want you to go back to the palace." Xyril said.
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Meanwhile at the training area where Aeron and Ermis are sparing.
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"Xyril is here, I guess something big came out" Aeron said.
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Ermis on the other hand he looked at the different direction feeling a sense that someone was looking at them.
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