Chapter 2 - Life(2)

Previously~

LOCATION - XXXXX COUNTY

A boy sat beneath the towering oak, bathed in the cold glow of the moonlight. His silver hair shifted in the night breeze, strands catching the soft luminescence as his purple piercing eyes—deeper than the abyss—stared up at the stars.

The wind howled. He did not flinch.

A small smirk tugged at his lips. A knowing smile—one far too unfitting for a mere five-year-old.

His whisper, soft yet heavy, vanished into the wind.

"Gods. Devils. Just wait, you weaklings. I'm coming."

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A FEW DAYS LATER

Location: Felgris Palace, Tigranclaw Duchy

Date: 24th, Month of Zephyris, XXX

Edward and Amelia sat beside each other, tension hanging in the air like a drawn bowstring. Beads of sweat formed on their foreheads as silence stretched between them.

Then, Amelia exhaled sharply. “Edward, how many times have I told you we should visit them?”

Edward ran a hand through his dark hair, already anticipating the argument. “Amy, I know. But you also know how busy I’ve been—skirmishes in the northern forests, the emperor summoning me at every minor issue—”

“That’s not an excuse!” Amelia cut in, arms crossed. “It’s been four months since we last saw Father and Mother. Do you have any idea how furious they’ll be?” She leaned forward, her voice dropping into a mock whisper. “They will eat you alive, and I won’t help.”

Edward flinched. “Come on, Amy. You have to help me. I can’t get scolded in front of my own newborn son!” He gestured toward the crib, desperation creeping into his tone.

“No, Ed. You reap what you sow.” With an exaggerated toss of her head, she made her stance clear.

Edward sighed, then stood up and took a step toward her. His gaze turned mischievous.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Amelia stammered, suddenly feeling cornered.

“Well,” he mused, his fingers drifting to his collar, undoing just enough buttons to tease. “What else can I do? My adorable wife refuses to help me.” His voice dipped, confidence dripping from every motion.

Amelia’s face turned a deep shade of crimson. “E-Ed, you— you, what are you doing?!”

Meanwhile, in the crib, their newborn watched the scene unfold with a blank expression.

‘Ah… Can’t they see there’s a child present?’

His tiny brows twitched as he took in his father’s antics.

‘Do they think they’re in high school or something?’

Then, as if on instinct, his small mouth wobbled. A soft whimper escaped.

Within moments, that whimper became an all-out wail.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“WAAAAH! WAAAAH!”

The atmosphere snapped like a taut string. Edward immediately buttoned his shirt, and Amelia rushed to the crib, scooping up the baby with practiced care.

“What’s wrong, my baby?” she cooed, gently swaying.

Edward frowned. “Is he hungry?”

The baby, snug in Amelia’s arms, quieted slightly. He peeked up at his parents through sleepy green eyes, his thoughts barely coherent—

‘Hah. That’s what you get.’

Amelia rocked the baby in her arms until he fell asleep. She gently laid him in the crib, making sure not to disturb his peaceful rest.

With a relieved sigh, she collapsed onto the bed, tilting her head toward Edward. Feeling her gaze, Edward ran a hand through the back of his neck, his eyes flickering downward as if burdened with guilt.

“Edward, don’t you have something to tell me?” she asked, batting her lashes playfully, tilting her head in curiosity.

Edward let out a small chuckle, rubbing his neck. “Ah… yeah, I almost forgot something.” His lips curled into a cheerful smile.

“A letter from Alexander arrived and—” He paused, glancing at Amelia hesitantly.

“What?” she prompted, her brows arching in curiosity.

Edward smiled. “He became a dad to a baby boy yesterday.”

Amelia gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as pure joy lit up her emerald eyes.

“Sophie had a son?!” she exclaimed.

Edward chuckled. “And that too, just yesterday! Our boys are practically twins now.”

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location-Rugard Palace, Leonhart Duchy

Date- 24th, Month of Zephyris, XXX

“Amelia had a son?!” Duchess Leonhart exclaimed, nearly falling off her chair.

“Yes, and he was born on the same day as ours,” the duke replied softly, the corners of his lips tugging into a warm smile..

He hugged the Duchess from behind.

“Hmm… Alexander, what happened?”

Alexander exhaled

“My wife Sophie…our baby is asleep.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you think that after a cousin, he needs a sibling.”

Alexander whispered mischievously.

“Alex,you-you, don’t joke like that.”

Sophie broke his hug and strode towards the door

.Grab…

“Not so fast, honey.”

Alexander pulled her close, her bright green eyes watching him nervously. He watched her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He exhaled softly followed by a smirk.

“ Haha, were you expecting something honey?” he snickered

Sophie bit her lip, her pale ears turning red. She grabbed a pillow nearby”-you, are you really a duke-” she hit him with the pillow repeatedly”- You, you are just a little troublemaker!”

The duke laughed as he protected himself from the pillows, the wool falling from the torn pillows covered the floor.

“Hahah-” the duke pulled her for a hug

“Ahh Sophie, what would I do without you-” he hugged her tightly

“Please save me from father-in-law this time.” he muttered

Sophie turned towards him, hugging him tighter-

“No!” she whispered playfully.

Location-??? County

An old man sits beside his grandson, the rustling leaves, the beautiful sunset and the smell of oak and soil surrounding them. The old man placed his hand on the lad’s shoulder.

“Aren't you happy now?, you have two brothers.”

The boy chuckled, turning his head towards his grandfather.

“Can’t tell before I see them.”

A smile crept on his face.

Slap…

The old man slapped his back-

“Don’t smile like that- it’s terrifying.- the man adjusted the boy’s tunic-”How do you want them to be?”

The boy looked at him curtly

“I hope they are as crazy as all of us.”

The boy replied.

“Hahah” both laughed as the sun drowned beneath the sky. Later this simple conversation between a grandfather and grandchild will become the foundation of a force that will shake the so-called heaven and hell unbiasedly.ACK!

FLASH!

CLANG!

They moved at breakneck speed, blurring in and out of sight. Steel screamed as it collided.

[Crow’s Eye]

Nvyhar’s eyes shimmered. His strikes grew lethal. Precise. Surgical.

“Oh great. The evil grandpa mode,” Vincent muttered.

[Embral Step]

Nvyhar disappeared.

Vincent’s brow furrowed. “Always hated that move.”

His knife flickered, its edge unstable.

[Murder Call]

A tidal wave of black crows exploded across the arena, screaming and shrieking—ripping air, bending mana, and crashing like a black tsunami.

Vincent just grinned.

BOOM.

An aura pulse burst outward from his chest—sending thousands of crows twitching to the ground like short-circuited drones.

Featherblade lunged.

Vincent ducked, twisted, and fired a kick.

Nvyhar blocked—but too high.

Vincent’s eyes sparkled. “Oops.”

CRACK!

A downward heel struck Nvyhar’s ribs—bone gave like brittle candy.

The old man coughed and staggered.

THUNK!

Vincent threw his knife—Featherblade deflected it. Too late.

WHAM!

Vincent launched up.

Midair:

Uppercut.

Cross.

Spin kick.

Knee to the jaw.

Nvyhar flew.

Vincent followed like a missile.

He twisted—descending with godly precision.

Nvyhar saw it coming and baited him.

Just as Vincent’s foot neared—

GRAB!

WHAM!

The old man snatched his ankle midair and powerbombed him into the floor.

[Namebreaker Bind: Vincent Duskrane]

Chains of jet-black energy wrapped around Vincent like vipers.

[Ultimate: Black Hollow Palm]

Nvyhar’s palm slammed into Vincent’s chest—releasing pure void.

Everything disappeared. Light, sound, mana—gone.

Vincent floated in pure silence. Like death. Or philosophy class.

But he smiled in that void.

Again.

A second strike neared.

Vincent raised his arms.

[Passive: Hawk Eye]

Light returned. Still no touch. No sound. But he could see.

It was enough.

Featherblade stabbed down.

Vincent twisted.

SLASH!

He reappeared behind Nvyhar.

[Knife: Hashashin]

His movements blurred—he stabbed in rapid succession.

STAB! STAB! STAB! STAB!

A dozen strikes in a second. The blade shattered into frost.

Nvyhar dropped to one knee, clutching his chest.

He raised Featherblade weakly.

“You held back,” he said through bloodied teeth. “Even when blind, deaf, and numb.”

Then, as if reading his thoughts,Vincent nodded.

“I didn’t want to kill you.”

His voice was calm. Gentle. Too calm.

“One last time then.”

[Ultimate: Silver Crow]

Nvyhar’s body turned silver, aura flaring like a dying star.

He vanished.

BOOM!

Featherblade collided with Vincent’s fist—metal bent.

Vincent’s knee surged up—

CRACK—CLANG!

Featherblade snapped in half.

His knee drilled into Nvyhar’s gut.

Vincent zipped past him like lightning.

[CQC: D]

CRASH!

The old man cratered.

A crater appeared in the torso. Skin ruptured. His collarbone and temple caved slightly.

A breathless silence.

“I lost...” Nvyhar wheezed. A bloody smile on his face.

[BODY TIMEOUT]

His body stabilized. A faint hum.

[2:59]

Vincent rushed over, catching him before he fell over completely.

“You used CQC D? The tutorial-tier skill?” Nvyhar coughed.

“It’s underrated,” Vincent said, grinning.

“You show-off.”

They slumped together against the wall like exhausted warriors after a festival brawl.

“Old man,” Vincent said softly, “why…?”

“Don’t ask,” Nvyhar murmured. “Just open the wine.”

Vincent uncorked it. The fruity scent curled into the air like incense.

Nvyhar took a deep drink.

Then he leaned in, gripping Vincent’s shoulder.

“The Ashen Pantheon… they’re moving again.”

Vincent’s aura flared.

“I’ll crush them—”

Nvyhar yanked him back down.

“An angel is with them.”

Vincent’s heart stopped for a beat.

“An… angel?”

“Yeah. Pretty one too. Very stab-worthy.”

Vincent blinked. “That’s concerning on too many levels.”

“There’s still time,” Nvyhar said. “Find me an heir. Before it’s too late.”

“Why not fight?”

Nvyhar lifted his robe.

A scar ran down his chest—lightning-shaped, pulsating faintly.

“This won’t let me.”

[0:10]

He pulled Vincent into a final hug.

“I’m proud of you, Vinnie.”

[0:00]

The stabilizer ended. His body failed.

His eyes dulled. A quiet, peaceful smile remained.

Vincent held him until his form turned to ash.

Only a black cube and a silver ring engraved with three crows remained.

Vincent buried him anyway. Not because there was a body.

Because there was a bond.

He placed the cube on the throne, pocketed the ring, and stood tall.

Vincent turned back to his five year self.

Snap.

He returned to Duskrane County.

The sunrise greeted his grief-stricken face—

—and the quiet whisper of war on the wind

"Vincent?" The door groaned open, revealing Orianne.

Her breath caught when she saw him—eyes red, face streaked with tears. She rushed forward, pulling him into a tight embrace.

Neither spoke.

Vincent’s small hands trembled as they wrapped around her waist.

"Where were you?" Orianne whispered, her voice cracking. "I searched the entire night... terrified something had happened to you."

A quiet sob broke through as her arms tightened.

Vincent flinched. Hearing her cry—it felt like a knife to the chest.

"I'm sorry, Mother." He pulled back, eyes low. "I won’t do it again."

Orianne gently cupped his cheek, wiping away a tear.

“Mother is always here for you... even if you don’t tell me everything.”

Vincent looked up and smiled, a little brighter.

“Yes, mother of mine.”

She let out a quiet laugh, brushing his hair back.

“You’re becoming more and more like your father, son of mine.”

Holding hands, they stepped out.

The door creaked softly behind them.

Orianne and Vincent entered the living room, where golden sunlight pooled across the floor. The air felt lighter here. Though the furniture was modest, the delicate engravings on the wood whispered of old elegance.

Amelia and Sophie, dressed in loose gowns, sat side by side on the couch. They waved with gentle smiles, beckoning Vincent over.

Across the room, Thomas sat in a high-backed armchair, his gaze steady as he took in the gathered faces.

“Let’s continue with the naming ceremony,” he said, voice calm but firm.