Two months had passed since the elemental giant incident.Poul had become a symbol of hope for humanity — his name was everywhere. Jay could barely step outside to play with other children without being surrounded by people and reporters.
The soldiers who had invaded Luis' house were never found. Even as the prime suspect, he was released due to lack of evidence. Now, Jay and Poul lived with Luis, Mary, and Kyrai — not out of necessity, but by choice.
Another morning dawned. The sun broke through the darkness, lighting the land once more. Jay opened his eyes, his hair messy, the room still dim. He got up and tried to wake his friend.
"Come on, sleepyhead. It's morning already," Jay said, shaking her shoulder.
"Mmh… let me sleep a little longer, mommy," Kyrai murmured. "Just five more minutes…"
"I'm not your mother, Kyrai. Wake up."
He shook her again, but she didn't respond. Jay sighed.
"You leave me no choice."
He lifted the blanket, grabbed her foot, and started tickling her. Kyrai squirmed and mumbled — but still didn't wake. When he increased the intensity, her reflex kicked in.
A sharp kick hit his chin.
"WHAT THE HELL, KYRAI?! WAKE UP! ARE YOU A ROCK OR SOMETHING?!"
His shout finally worked.
"Ugh… you know I hate this," she complained.
"And you think I enjoy waking you up every single day?" he snapped.
Kyrai shot him a deadly glare.
"Go get ready for breakfast," Jay sighed, heading downstairs.
The smell of food filled the kitchen as usual. Luis, Poul, and Mary were already seated. Jay greeted them, sat down, and began eating while reading a book.
"You really like reading, huh?" Luis remarked.
"Yes, I do," Jay replied calmly.
"'Like' isn't the word — it's an addiction," Poul laughed.
"Addiction? He's a book addict."
Jay grimaced.
"Am I wrong, kid?"
"No."
"Then eat before it gets cold," Mary said warmly.
Mary was like a second mother to Jay. He loved her and wanted to make her proud.His real mother had died in front of him — a memory he never escaped.
After breakfast, Jay passed Kyrai on the stairs. He smiled faintly. She frowned, irritated, but held back because their parents were nearby.
Poul, now recognized even by King Valerius Adelio, remained a soldier. In two days, he would be promoted to captain. Before leaving, he hugged Mary, Kyrai… and finally, Jay.
Later, Jay prepared to go to the park. Yet something gnawed at his mind — the memory of that day.
The day I killed someone.
"I destroyed a family because of that choice…" he muttered under his breath."What if I'm becoming like them?"
He let out a bitter laugh.
"No. I'm still the same. People don't change overnight… they change with time. With what the world does to them."
At the park, Jay read beside his friend Noa, who kept glancing at Kyrai.
Jay noticed — and smirked.
Looks like I'm playing cupid today.
"Noa!"
The boy jumped. "W-what's up?"
"You were about to call me something else, weren't you?"
"N-no."
"Don't lie. You're in love with my adorable little sister."
"S-sister?!"
"Heart sister, idiot."
Jay leaned closer. "Come to my house later. I have a plan."
Noa blushed but nodded.
Night eventually fell.
Jay headed home alone. The streets were quiet.
At first, he ignored the strange feeling — until the footsteps behind him sped up.
He turned corners. The shadow followed.
He ran.
A hand grabbed his arm. Something covered his mouth.
Darkness swallowed him.
When Jay opened his eyes, everything was dark.
I was walking home… then someone grabbed me…
I can't move.
A female voice whispered.
"Hello, little one."
A tall woman stepped into the dim light. Ice-blue hair. Red eyes. A disturbingly sweet smile.
"Where am I?" Jay asked.
"At my home," she replied calmly.
"What do you want from me?"
Her smile twisted.
"Sell you, of course. The son of a hero… very valuable."
Fear tightened Jay's chest.
"We'll send a letter to your family," she continued softly."The great hero couldn't even save his own child."
He struggled against his restraints — useless.
"Pathetic," she mocked. "Trapped in a child's body. Powerless."
Jay froze.
How does she know…?
She laughed. "Your behavior gave you away."
She turned to a man beside her. "Make him talk. Three days."
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, tense.
The days that followed blurred together.
Pain. Darkness. Recovery. Pain again.
Each time his consciousness faded, she brought him back — only to begin again.
Jay endured in silence.
Meanwhile, Poul, Luis, and Mary searched desperately.Kyrai barely left her room.Mary stopped eating.
One night, officers arrived.
"We have information," one said. "A man in a blue coat. Masked. Known as Hombi."
Mary's hands trembled.
"And… the boy?"
"A ransom letter. Three weeks."
Mary collapsed in tears.
Back in captivity, Jay's breath was shallow.
A question echoed again and again.
"Pure or impure?"
Jay didn't answer.
At some point, his strength faded completely.
His thoughts drifted.
His lips trembled as a whisper escaped him — barely audible.
"Do I deserve this…?"
His breathing grew uneven.
"Is this how I'm paying for my sins…?" Jay said, his voice shaking.
Silence followed.
Then —
Cold.
A presence surrounded him.
Ice formed before his eyes.
"Hello, little one," said a calm voice.
"Who… are you?"
"I am Roh, the Ice Spirit — the source of your power."
"So… I awakened?"
"Not yet."
"Then why are you here?"
"To tell you the truth."
Roh's gaze hardened.
"You are almost entirely impure. Only twelve point five percent of your body can handle elemental energy."
Jay froze.
"And you," Roh continued, "are pretending to be calm… aren't you, Gabriel?"
Jay's eyes widened.
"How do you know that name?"
"I am sealed within you. I know everything."
Silence stretched.
"You promised never to kill again," Roh said quietly."You broke that promise."
Jay clenched his teeth.
"You haven't changed."
"You're right…" Jay whispered. "I haven't."
"Pathetic," they said in unison.
Pain surged.
Reality shattered.
When Jay awoke again, he was surrounded by white sheets.
A hospital.
Mary hugged him tightly, sobbing.
"Forgive me… forgive me for not protecting you."
Jay cried with her.
Days passed.
Visitors came and went.
But one question never left him:
Who am I?Jay… or Gabriel?A child… or a broken adult given another chance?
And in the silence of his mind, the echoes of the past still watched him.