The journey to Fortress Valorath took three hours under the midday sun.
Kael remained silent for most of the way, observing the landscape with eyes that had seen all of this before. The northern mountains rose imposingly in the distance, their peaks covered in eternal snow, gleaming like diamonds against the blue sky. Fields of golden wheat stretched along both sides of the road, occasionally interrupted by small villages where peasants paused in their work to bow as the Valorian caravan passed.
Darius, on the other hand, looked at everything with genuine childlike wonder.
"Do you see that, Kael?" he pointed toward a rock formation that resembled a sleeping dragon. "Do you think there are real dragons in those mountains?"
Kael glanced at him sideways. This Darius was bronze—innocent. Without the arrogance he would later develop, without the cruelty hidden beneath his smile. Just an orphaned child, amazed by the world.
When did you change? Kael wondered. Or were you always a monster and simply hid it better?
[Reminder: Your brother has not yet been corrupted. The actions you take will determine his future path.]
Kael frowned at the system's message. Did that mean he could prevent Darius from becoming what he once was? Or that his own actions could accelerate his fall?
"Yes," he finally replied. "There are dragons. In the Fire Mountains of the south. But they're dangerous."
"How do you know?" Darius asked, turning to him with curiosity. "I thought you didn't remember anything."
Damn it.
"I… don't know," Kael improvised. "I just… feel it. Like I know."
Darius studied him for a moment, then shrugged.
"Maybe you're special. Like a mage or something."
If only you knew, Kael thought bitterly.
Fortress Valorath finally appeared on the horizon, and even with all his memories, Kael couldn't help but be impressed.
It was a massive structure of gray stone, built directly into the mountainside. Tall towers with banners bearing the golden lion fluttered in the wind. Thick walls that had withstood centuries of sieges. An iron drawbridge spanned a deep moat where mountain water flowed like a raging river.
"By the gods…" Darius whispered, his blue eyes wide.
"Welcome to your new home," Celeste said with a warm smile. "If the Duke so decides, of course."
Aldric said nothing, his expression remaining neutral as the caravan crossed the bridge and the massive gates opened to receive them.
The inner courtyard buzzed with activity. Guards training with practice swords. Servants running back and forth with supplies. Stables where warhorses rested. Blacksmiths working at an open forge, the sound of hammer against anvil ringing rhythmically.
As they dismounted, a small figure came running out from the main castle doors.
"Mother! Father!"
Isabelle Valorian.
She was eleven years old, with dark brown hair like her mother's, but gray eyes like her father's. She wore a practical blue training dress, and Kael noticed a wooden sword hanging from her belt. Even at this age, she was already being prepared as a warrior.
In his past life, Kael had barely interacted with her. Isabelle had been in love with Darius from the beginning, following him everywhere like a loyal puppy. He had ignored her, too consumed by his own problems and his secret love for Seraphina.
Now, watching her run toward her parents with a bright smile, he wondered what else he had missed by living in the shadows.
"Isabelle, calm down," Celeste said, though her tone was affectionate. "We have guests."
The girl stopped short, noticing for the first time the two dirty, injured boys standing awkwardly in the courtyard. Her eyes narrowed with curiosity.
"Who are they?"
"That's what we intend to find out," Aldric replied. "Take them inside, Celeste. Have them washed and given clean clothes. Then I want them in my study."
"Yes, dear."
Celeste guided them through stone corridors lit by magical torches that never went out. Kael memorized the passageways, though he saw them from a different perspective now that he was shorter. Ancestral armor mounted on the walls. Tapestries depicting famous battles of House Valorian. Portraits of dead ancestors staring at them with stern, painted eyes.
They were taken to a bathing chamber where servants were already preparing tubs of hot water. They were separated, and Kael welcomed the moment of privacy.
As he sank into the hot water, he observed his young body in the reflection of a nearby bronze mirror. Thirteen years old. Slim but not weak. Black hair reaching his shoulders. Eyes of a dark gray, almost black, contrasting with Darius's bright blue eyes.
[Would you like to review your updated statistics?]
Yes, Kael thought.
[Current status:
Health: 45/100 (Wounds in the process of healing)
Energy: 30/100 (Physical and mental exhaustion)
Mana: 10/100 (No magical training)
Statistics:
Strength: 3/100
Agility: 4/100
Intelligence: 25/100
Charisma: 12/100
Magic: 10/100
Active Skills:
Empathic Perception Lv.1
Knowledge of the Future (Limited)
Connections:
Duchess Celeste Valorian: 18/100 (Maternal)
Main Mission: Secure your adoption by House Valorian (68 hours remaining)
Secondary Mission Unlocked: Make a good first impression on Isabelle Valorian
Reward: +5 Charisma, Information about future events related to her]
Kael frowned. The system wanted him to impress Isabelle. That made sense, he supposed. In his past life, he had completely ignored her, and that had probably been a mistake.
Once clean and dressed in simple but good-quality clothes—black trousers, white shirt, brown vest—he was escorted along with Darius to the Duke's study.
The room was exactly as he remembered it. Shelves filled with books on military strategy. A massive dark oak desk. Maps of the kingdom hanging on the walls. A large window offering a panoramic view of the mountains.
Aldric stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back. Celeste sat in a chair near the desk. And Isabelle stood in a corner, watching them with barely contained curiosity.
"Sit," Aldric ordered without turning around.
Both boys sat in the chairs in front of the desk. Kael kept his posture straight, drawing on years of training in noble etiquette. Darius fidgeted nervously.
"Very well." Aldric finally turned to look at them. "Let's start with the basics. Names."
"Darius, sir," the blond replied quickly.
"Kael," Kael added in a calmer voice.
"Surnames?"
Both shook their heads.
"Family?"
"We don't remember anything, sir," Darius said. "We just… woke up in the forest. There was blood. Bodies. Dead monsters. And then… nothing else."