As the dust settled from their triumph over Mondola, Peter Larkin's focus shifted to the task of rebuilding the royal bloodline and restoring the rightful rulers of the realm. He approached Erinic, whose grief still lingered from the loss of his real parents, King Jinh Aurum and Queen Lahti, in the Nether Dimension, with compassion and determination, ready to help him fulfill his parents' legacy.
The first step was to secure a safe and stable environment for their operations. Peter led Erinic to a hidden chamber within the Shadow's Embrace, a place where ancient texts and artifacts lay dormant, waiting to be awakened. The air was heavy with the scent of aged parchment, and the dim light cast a solemn glow upon their faces.
Erinic stood in the chamber, his heart heavy with the weight of his parents' absence. Peter placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, offering silent support and understanding. "We will honor the memory of King Jinh Aurum and Queen Lahti by continuing their quest," he assured Erinic, his voice infused with determination. "Together, we will rebuild the royal bloodline."
With renewed resolve, Erinic delved into the ancient knowledge, studying the faded texts and deciphering the cryptic passages. Peter stood beside him, guiding him through the intricate details and shedding light on the hidden secrets of their lineage.
As they pored over the ancient records, Peter felt a surge of realization. He turned to Erinic, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and hope. "Erinic, there is something I must tell you. Your parents, King Jinh Aurum and Queen Lahti, were not the only ones who perished in the Nether Dimension. You had an older brother named Prince Caleb Aurum, who was thought to have been lost as well."
Erinic's eyes widened with shock and disbelief. "Prince Caleb? But we were always told he died alongside our parents."
Peter nodded, his voice filled with a mix of anticipation and caution. "By some miracle, it seems that Prince Caleb was saved from the clutches of the Nether Dimension. He was shielded and raised as a mere immortal by a handmaiden to the queen."
Erinic's heart swelled with a mix of emotions—grief for the lost years with his brother and hope for a potential reunion. "Is there any way we can find him, bring him back to our realm?"
Peter's gaze turned solemn. "It won't be an easy task, but we must try. We need to gather more information, seek out the handmaiden who protected Prince Caleb, and uncover the truth of his whereabouts."
With renewed determination, Erinic and Peter continued their research, sifting through ancient records and seeking clues that would lead them to the handmaiden and Prince Caleb. The chamber within the Shadow's Embrace became a haven of purpose and discovery, as every word and artifact fueled their quest.
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, as Erinic and Peter ventured deeper into the intricate web of history. And then, finally, their persistence paid off. They stumbled upon a hidden scroll that revealed the name and location of the handmaiden who had saved Prince Caleb.
Excitement surged through Erinic's veins as he held the scroll in his hands. "We have a lead, Peter. We must find this handmaiden and bring Prince Caleb back to our realm."
Peter nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Yes, Erinic. We will not rest until we reunite you with your long-lost brother and restore the Aurum bloodline to its rightful place."
Together, they embarked on a new journey, one that would take them beyond the realm they knew. They sought the handmaiden, who had shielded Prince Caleb from the clutches of the Nether Dimension, raising him as an immortal in secrecy.
With each step they took, their hope grew stronger, and the bond between Erinic and Peter deepened. They navigated treacherous realms, faced formidable challenges, and braved the unknown, driven by the unshakeable belief that their mission would bring them closer to the truth and to Prince Caleb.
And so, amidst the mysteries of the Nether Dimension and the echoes of lost voices, Erinic and Peter pressed forward, guided by the flickering flame of hope and the whispers of destiny. Their journey would lead them to a reunion that defied the boundaries of time and fate and the realization that miracles could indeed emerge from the depths of darkness.
***
Keliana surveyed the breathtaking scenery of her parents' world. In stark contrast to the half of the country known as Mondola's Domain, which was plagued by darkness and chaos, this side of Kantonian land exuded beauty. It was filled with smiling children and bustling individuals going about their daily lives. However, nobody here knew Keliana's true identity or that she and her family would soon reclaim their rightful place as rulers.
Dante suddenly materialized before her, breaking her reverie. "A penny, for your thoughts?" he asked.
Keliana smiled at him. Dante was one of the first handsome guys she had developed feelings for, but she was aware that his heart belonged to someone else, so he saw her as a sister. "I was simply admiring the exquisite beauty of your homeworld and contemplating the moment when our family will restore the throne," she responded.
"Don't worry. Drako and I will remain by your side for a while, offering our assistance in reclaiming the throne," he assured her, his smile reassuring.
Keliana inquired, aware that Dante's presence here meant time away from Sharla. "How is Sharla doing?"
"She's doing fine. I made a promise to her that she would have a kingdom to rule upon my return, so I'll be working on establishing that once our mission here is complete," Dante replied.
"Wow, I always thought she already had her own kingdom. Doesn't she?" Keliana expressed, surprised by the revelation.
"She does. I mean, she shares it with her twin sister, Kala-Selene," Dante replied.
"Wait... what? I thought Sharla was an only child," Keliana questioned.
"Ah, yes... It turns out that her twin sister's consciousness was deeply embedded within her. To make a long story short, her aunt created a separate body for her, and now both Sharla and Kala-Selene have their own dreams, goals, and, of course, love interests," Dante explained, his smile widening as Keliana's eyes widened in astonishment.
Rubbing the back of her head, Keliana was astounded by the hardships Sharla had endured since their last meeting.
"Anyway, we need to get going. There's a kingdom waiting for us to claim," Dante stated, extending his hand toward Keliana. She smiled and took his hand. Pausing for a moment, he gazed into her eyes. "Keli... I realize I may have given you the wrong impression, and for that, I hope you can forgive me. I never intended to hurt you," Dante confessed.
"No... noo... it's alright. You're happy with Sharla, and I'm genuinely happy for you. I even heard that my brother has found himself a girlfriend. It's hard for me to imagine him with someone, but she must be truly special to tolerate him," Keliana chuckled.
Dante leaned down to kiss her forehead and reassured her, "Don't worry, I'm certain your Prince will come along and sweep you off your feet."