Chapter 2: Glasphire
Something was calling to me.
The moment my soul left my body, a dark chasm opened its mouth, welcoming me into the cold void where I may rest in eternity.
Despite the deathly chill and silence, it provided a soft, feather-like embrace akin to soft blankets on a rainy day as solace.
In a way, it felt nostalgic. Like the grasp of a mother which I never experienced.
As if it was welcoming me back home.
Amidst the pitch black darkness, spots of light like stars began to blink to life. Like ringing bells lingering in the silence, they peered towards me in curiosity, wondering about the strange thing which invaded their space.
I floated in between lights slowly, more insignificant than a speck of dust among the heavenly bodies.
Various shades of every color passed by me as the stars moved along their predetermined course and, soon, hidden amongst them, a solitary moon was revealed to my eyes.
Unlike the stars which emitted bright lights, the moon was like a dark hole which devoured all the light but, it itself lacked its own colors.
It was cold, dark, and unwelcoming. Empty.
Somehow, seeing it was like seeing myself through a mirror which only reflects my soul.
Slowly, I began to float closer towards the moon. The thing which was calling me was there, I was sure of it.
Little by little, I inched closer until I was close enough to find that the surface was actually made of a dark glass-like material.
Beneath the glass, the surface rippled like water.
"Julius!"
A muffled voice was transmitted from the glass.
"Julius! This isn't funny anymore!"
As the ripples faded, the reflection became clear enough to see what was hidden on the other side.
It was a child less than ten years of age. With hair whiter than the snow falling in the background, he had eyes redder than the best rubies which were filled with tears from worry.
"Julius, I'm scared... Come up quickly. Please!"
The child sobbed, letting big drops of tears fall into the surface, rippling it once again.
The scrunched up face was blurred but his voice was still transmitted clearly.
Lightly, like a leaf drifting down, a strange feeling encompassed my heart which I thought had already died long ago.
What is this emotion? It wasn't anger, it wasn't sadness, nor was it loneliness.
It was like no emotion that I felt before.
It was warm yet worrying, nervous yet expectant. It was a childish feeling.
Maybe it was my curiosity or the urge to find the name of that emotion that pushed me to do it.
Without a word nor a plan in mind, I found myself reaching towards the presence beneath the glass surface.
Heung. Splash!
"Julius! Somebody help! Julius is-"
"Ah!!! Young lord! What happened here?!"
"Somebody call the knights! Hurry!!"
Muffled voices chattered on endlessly and a warm hand gripped mine tightly.
Cold air filled my lungs and I could sense the chilling snow which fell nearby. There were sounds around me and light peeking through my half closed eyelids.
I could feel my body again.
...
In the city of Velluda, the capital city of the Northern Frontier, a grand celebration was being held in honor of the Glasphire Dukedom, more specifically, the two young lords.
The joyous voices of the citizens and music being played by wandering bards filled the air. And despite it being winter, dozens of children came out to watch the play being shown on the streets by performing troupes.
In the territory of the Duke of the White Sword, it was common knowledge that the Duke had three sons with his wife before the Duchess died from an unforeseen accident.
The eldest son, Clovis Leigh Belov Glasphire, was a genius of the sword who was brought to study under the Legion of the White Sword in hopes of becoming a Grand Paladin like his father, the current duke, Camdyn Grant Glasphire.
The second and third sons were born as twins, with the older being Cain Julius Belov Glasphire and the younger being Charles June Belov Glasphire.
As of today, the twins were celebrating their tenth birthday which also marks as their First Awakening.
When noble children reach their tenth year, an oracle from the Tower of Astrology would be invited to look into their fates for the first time to determine their future course and the twins' situation was no different.
Or should have been.
"Please do explain to me what exactly the meaning of this is, Baron Webbe."
"Please be lenient, your grace! It was merely an accident between children!"
"No son of mine nearly dies in a stupid way because of some accident, Baron. I should not tell you this twice. A negligent father must know how to pay for the mistakes of his insolent child."
"Your grace! It's just normal for children to roughhouse when they play! Isn't this a bit too much?!"
"Indeed. But for a child to push another into a lake in the middle of winter, no matter how stupid, there is no doubt that there was ill intent in that action. No matter what, with my honor in the line, I will pursue this matter to the end."
"But-"
"Baron Webbe. I called you here not to reason with you but to merely inform you about your imminent future. That is all. You may be excused."
As the doors closed behind the Baron who still couldn't quite process what lied ahead in his future, the previous elegant demeanor which Duke Glasphire showed ebbed away.
"Lowborns like them dare to overstep their bounds." With a contemptuous glare, the Duke spat out. Just when he decided to be charitable for once and opened his territory to the neighboring nobles on this rare occasion, something like this happened.
Ever since the death of his wife, he had been against other nobles coming and going freely in his territory. And now that he was trying to open up again, an accident occurred.
Anyone in his shoes would be furious too.
"Those who dare to touch porcelain, it's best if I kill them all off." A bloodthirsty glint flashed on silver eyes. "Until no one dares to cast their eyes carelessly again."
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