The royal family's carriage moved gracefully through the cobblestone streets, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels blending with the faint murmur of distant crowds. Nova stared out of the window, his thoughts a swirl of unease and curiosity. The city outside was vibrant, its streets lined with cheering citizens waving banners and celebrating as the procession passed.
Across from him, a man who exuded authority, seemingly his father in this illusion, spoke up. "How about your magical research? Is it going well?" His voice carried the tone of a ruler who demanded excellence but cared for his family.
Caught off guard, Nova hesitated. "Ah... yes, something like that," he mumbled, unsure of how to respond to a question directed at someone else's life.
The man raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but questioning. He leaned back after a pause. "And politics? No interest there, I suppose?"
"No, not anytime soon," Nova replied quickly, his tone unsure.
The queen sitting beside the king let out a soft chuckle, her amused smile hinting at warmth and understanding. The tension eased slightly as the king sighed. "That's fine for now. Your brothers are capable leaders. But eventually, you'll need to step up."
Brothers? Nova thought, the word echoing in his mind. The pieces of the illusion slowly clicked into place. He was in someone else's life again. The name "Aleric" came to him from the king's tone, and it settled in Nova's mind like a fragment of truth.
The king's expression softened. "Still, your contributions to our kingdom's magic and technology are remarkable. Look at that," he said, pointing out the window.
Nova followed his gaze and saw something extraordinary. In a field, a floating cart glided smoothly above the crops. A farmer stood atop the cart, maneuvering it effortlessly as it harvested the land. It was a perfect blend of magic and engineering. Nova stared, stunned by the sight.
"You even helped design our transport systems," the king added, pride evident in his voice.
Nova instinctively covered his face with his hand. This guy made that? What kind of genius am I playing now?
One of his brothers laughed. "It's practical, but let's be honest, Aleric—it's not what we expected from someone of your talents," he teased.
Nova managed a faint smile but kept his thoughts to himself. He let the conversation drift as the carriage continued toward their destination.
The event venue was a grand spectacle, situated in the heart of another kingdom. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, each representing a different kingdom. Soldiers in polished armor stood at attention, their presence reinforcing the gravity of the gathering.
As the royal family stepped out of the carriage, Nova heard the herald's booming announcement: "Presenting the royal family of Valoria!"
The name hit Nova like a thunderclap. Valoria? The capital of the human empire? His thoughts raced. Stories of Valoria—the most advanced city of humanity—flashed through his mind. It was a place of magic, technology, and power. A place he'd heard about but never seen, except in this illusion.
The family proceeded into the venue, where other royals mingled. A towering figure approached, his booming laughter filling the air. "Ah, my dear brother! Still as punctual as ever!"
Nova's dream father greeted the man warmly, their embrace hinting at deep familiarity. "No need for formalities between us," he said, waving off the stiffness of royal decorum. The gathering was lively, filled with laughter and camaraderie, but Nova couldn't shake his growing unease.
Amidst the festivities, a piercing scream tore through the air. Nova froze, his head snapping toward the sound. Strangely, no one else seemed to notice it. The music and laughter drowned out the eerie cry, but Nova couldn't ignore it.
Drawn by an instinct he didn't fully understand, he slipped away from the crowd and followed the sound toward the forest on the outskirts of the venue. There, he saw a young man kneeling on the ground, clutching a bloodied woman in his arms.
Nova approached cautiously, his heart pounding as he recognized the woman. She was the same person playing the role of his dream mother. "What…?" Nova whispered, his voice shaky. His gaze shifted to the young man, whose torn clothes were identical to his own.
That's me.
Before he could process the scene, a blood trail began to materialize, leading from the boy toward the festival. Nova's unease turned to dread as he sprinted back.
When Nova returned, the once-lively festival had descended into chaos. Screams echoed across the courtyard, bodies littered the ground, and the air was thick with the stench of blood. Nova's dream father lay motionless, a knife buried in his back. The man who had greeted him so warmly earlier stood over the body, his expression cold and unfeeling.
One of Nova's brothers was decapitated, his head lying several feet from his body. The other brother lay on the ground, bleeding heavily. Nova dropped to his knees beside him, his hands trembling. The dying brother whispered faintly into Nova's ear, "Protect… Mother…" before succumbing to his injuries.
The scene grew darker. Nova turned his head to another corner, where the women of the other royal families dragged his dream mother into the shadows. Possessed by an unrelenting rage, they stabbed her repeatedly, laughing hysterically.
Aleric, the person Nova inhabited in this dream, collapsed beside her lifeless body, his cries of anguish piercing the chaos. He tried to drag her away, muttering, "I'll save you… I'll save you…" But her lifeless form didn't respond.
Shadows closed in around him. The murderers advanced, their faces twisted with malice. In desperation, Aleric reached into his pocket and hurled something to the ground. Smoke enveloped the area, concealing him as he fled toward the forest.
The scene dissolved into a void. Nova felt himself falling, the remnants of the illusion shattering like glass.
From the darkness, a voice whispered, low and chilling.
"Revenge… Revenge… Revenge…"