The world around Jae twisted again.
The forest, the battlefield, the blood and flames—
All of it shattered like broken glass.
A new vision slowly formed.
Pain shot through Jae's skull.
He dropped to one knee and grabbed his head.
"Urgh… damn it…"
His breathing grew heavy.
"These visions… they're too much."
The Divine Flame of Curses said nothing.
It simply let the memory unfold.
Jae slowly lifted his head.
The new scene sharpened.
A small wooden cottage stood quietly in the middle of a forest clearing.
Leaves rested along the roof.
Smoke rose gently from the chimney.
Inside the cottage—
Eryndor lay on a bed.
His body was wrapped in bandages.
Ice surrounded him to control the burns and swelling that covered most of his torso.
His chest rose slowly with strained breaths.
Then suddenly—
His eyes snapped open.
He shot upright.
Pain exploded through his body.
"Gah—!"
His muscles spasmed violently.
The door behind him burst open.
A young woman rushed inside.
She had long violet hair tied loosely behind her shoulders and sharp black eyes that glowed faintly in the dim light.
"Wait! Don't move!"
She rushed to the bed and tried to push Eryndor back down.
"Your injuries are critical!"
But Eryndor shoved her arm away violently.
His eyes were wild.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"
His voice echoed through the small cottage.
"WHERE IS ELLIE?!"
The girl froze for a moment.
Eryndor tried to stand.
Blood seeped through the bandages as his wounds reopened.
"Sir, please calm down!" she said urgently. "You're going to tear your body apart!"
But Eryndor ignored her.
He forced himself off the bed.
The door opened again.
An old man entered slowly.
He walked with a wooden cane.
His white beard nearly reached his chest.
His eyes were calm.
Annoyingly calm.
Eryndor tried to rush past him.
The old man sighed.
Then he pressed a small mechanism on his cane.
The tip opened.
A cloud of silver dust blew directly into Eryndor's face.
Eryndor froze.
His body went completely limp.
He collapsed straight back onto the bed.
"What… did… you… do…"
His voice was slurred.
The old man closed the cane calmly.
"A paralysis dust," he said.
"You won't feel your body for a while."
Eryndor's eyes burned with fury.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE?!"
"ARE YOU WORKING FOR THOSE DIVINE BASTARDS?!"
"WHERE IS MY SISTER?!"
The old man turned toward the girl.
"Kaelira," he said calmly.
"Explain the situation."
The girl nodded.
"Yes, Grandpa."
She crossed her arms and looked down at Eryndor.
"You should actually be thanking us," she said.
"If I didn't find you… you would be Yokai food right now."
Eryndor stopped struggling.
His eyes narrowed.
Kaelira sighed.
"I was out gathering fruit in the forest," she began.
"Then I saw smoke rising from the mountains."
Jae watched the vision carefully.
Kaelira continued.
"When I got closer… I saw you."
"You were unconscious."
"Your body was torn apart… and thousands of Yokai were surrounding you."
Eryndor's eyes widened slightly.
"I used my grandfather's sacred stealth technique," she said.
"I grabbed you before they noticed."
"Then I brought you here so he could treat your injuries."
Silence filled the room.
Eryndor stared at her.
Then slowly…
His expression softened.
"…I see."
His voice was quieter now.
"…My apologies."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"My sister was taken."
His fists tightened.
"I have to find her before they hurt her."
Kaelira studied his face.
Then she sighed.
"At least drink some tea and eat something first."
"Your body is barely holding together."
"Ten minutes isn't going to kill your sister."
Eryndor hesitated.
Then slowly nodded.
"…Fine."
Minutes later they walked down the stairs of the cottage.
Kaelira walked ahead of him.
Suddenly—
Her foot caught on a loose plank.
She stumbled forward.
Her hair shifted.
And for a moment—
The right side of her face was revealed.
A massive scar stretched from the back of her neck…
Across her cheek…
And stopped just beneath her eye.
Eryndor froze.
"…Was that a scar?"
Kaelira immediately fixed her hair back into place.
She turned away.
Silence hung in the air.
Then she spoke quietly.
"…It's ugly."
Her voice trembled slightly.
Eryndor studied her carefully.
He noticed how she avoided eye contact.
How her shoulders had tensed.
How she tried to hide the right side of her face.
"…No," he said gently.
Kaelira scoffed.
"Don't lie."
"Everyone says it's ugly."
Eryndor stepped closer.
Before she could stop him—
He gently brushed her hair aside.
The scar was fully visible now.
Kaelira tried to cover it.
But Eryndor caught her hand.
"Don't hide it."
She froze.
His voice was calm.
"It's not ugly."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"It's beautiful."
Kaelira's face instantly turned red.
Her brain stopped working.
"W-What?!"
"No it's not!"
Eryndor smiled faintly.
"When I was younger…"
"My older brother used to tell me something."
His voice softened.
"He said…"
"Scars are proof you survived something that tried to break you."
"The world may see damage."
"But warriors see history."
Eryndor gently released her hand.
"So don't hide it."
"You're beautiful."
Kaelira's entire face turned red.
Her heart was pounding violently.
Why?
Why was this happening?
Why did the words of this stranger…
Feel so powerful?
She turned quickly and walked past him.
"L-Let's go downstairs."
Eryndor blinked.
"Hey… you look really red are you—"
"SHUT UP!"
They reached the kitchen.
Kaelira shoved a bowl of food in front of him along with steaming herbal tea.
"This has healing herbs," she muttered.
"Drink it."
Eryndor smiled slightly.
"Thank you."
He ate quickly.
Kaelira watched him quietly.
Then she asked softly.
"…How are you planning to find your sister?"
Eryndor stopped eating.
He stared at the bowl.
"…I don't know."
His voice was heavy.
"But I will find her."
"I swear it."
Minutes passed.
Then Eryndor stood up.
He walked toward the door.
"Thank you… for saving my life."
He stepped outside.
The wind hit his face.
He began walking toward the forest.
But suddenly—
"ERYNDOR!"
He turned.
Kaelira was running toward him.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She stopped in front of him.
Her chest rose quickly from the run.
"I'm coming with you."
Eryndor blinked.
"…What?"
"I'm helping you find your sister."
"No."
He shook his head immediately.
"That's too dangerous."
"I refuse."
She crossed her arms stubbornly.
"You owe me."
Eryndor frowned.
"For saving your life."
She smirked slightly.
"So you have to agree."
Eryndor sighed heavily.
"These people…"
"They're Divine Flame contractors."
"They could kill you."
Kaelira didn't hesitate.
"I'm sure."
Eryndor stared at her for a long moment.
Then finally—
He nodded.
"…Fine."
Kaelira smiled slightly.
And together—
They stepped into the forest.
Beginning a journey that would change the fate of the world.
In the darkness of the vision…
And once again—
The vision began to change.