Akari woke up as Lior, her mind flooded with memories and emotions she thought were long buried. Tears streamed down her face as the weight of everything she had lost came crashing down—Arnold, her old self, and the life she once knew. Feeling utterly broken, she wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth as if to shield herself from the overwhelming grief. She cried silently at first, but the sobs soon became uncontrollable, echoing through the room.
She couldn't find words, couldn't even form a coherent thought. It was as if her entire world had collapsed into that one moment of despair. All she could do was hold herself tightly, desperately clinging to the pieces of a life she couldn't quite reconcile with her present.
The room felt colder, heavier, as if her sorrow had filled every corner. Yet, despite the tears and the pain, Akari—or Lior—remained silent beyond the sobs, unable to voice the storm raging within.
Lior's body was heavy, her muscles aching from the relentless fight with the Noor beasts. The cave, once a suffocating trap, now bore the marks of her rage—scorch marks, shattered rocks, and the acrid stench of burned flesh. She leaned against a jagged wall, her breaths shallow but steady. The exhaustion was bone-deep, a reminder of her fragile existence in this form. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered closed.
Darkness enveloped her, but it wasn't the kind she had grown used to. It was soft, almost comforting. Then came a warmth that was all too familiar. A voice—sweet, tender—cut through the haze.
"Kuro, my darling," a woman's voice murmured.
Lior's heart skipped a beat, though her body didn't move. She knew this voice. She had heard it once before in a life that didn't belong to her.
"Welcome back," a man's voice followed, deeper, laced with quiet authority.
The warmth intensified as she felt the embrace of arms—his parents' arms. But this wasn't the Duke and Duchess she had known from before. No, there was a difference now, subtle yet distinct. The air around them carried a weight, a presence that felt far greater.
She couldn't see them, not in the way she might have in her own body. Instead, she felt everything through Kuro's senses as though watching a familiar story unfold once more. This was no dream.
"Bring him to the chamber," the man instructed.
The same journey as before. The flower, with its glowing petals and ancient, otherworldly energy, awaited him. Awaited her.
She wasn't surprised. Not anymore. She felt herself being placed within the cradle of the bloom, the magic wrapping around Kuro's tiny body like a cocoon. The hum of the ancient power resonated deep within her, the echoes of it bouncing in her mind.
And so, the years began to stretch once more, two years of silence and waiting. The same as before, yet somehow, everything felt heavier now. Rulers instead of nobles. The stakes, the weight of their lineage, everything was amplified.
For Lior, there was no struggle, no panic. Only quiet observation as the world around Kuro moved forward, and she remained a silent witness in his shadow.
When Kuro emerged from the flower in this life, the differences became immediately apparent. The carefree boy who once left everything to his parents was thrust into the rigorous world of princely training. Lessons on politics, swordsmanship, diplomacy, and Noor management filled his days, leaving little time for the aimless mischief he had indulged in during his past life. Yet, despite the weight of his responsibilities, his core nature remained the same—a playful, curious soul with an irrepressible charm that endeared him to everyone around him.
But this time, his carefree attitude had limits. His parents, now rulers rather than dukes, were firm yet loving, ensuring he understood the gravity of his role. They often reminded him that the kingdom relied on him, though they softened their words with affection.
Arnold's presence remained a constant. Now the son of a duke, Arnold had grown up in a similarly structured environment, and the two boys bonded over their shared pressures. Despite their status, their friendship remained easy and natural. Kuro teased Arnold relentlessly, and Arnold—steadfast and grounded—endured it with good-natured grumbling.
For Kuro, life was busier, more demanding, yet not without its joys. It was only at the age of twelve, during a rare quiet moment in his otherwise packed schedule, that he first became aware of Lior's presence. It was faint at first, an occasional whisper of something other than himself, a shadow of a thought. But as time passed, the awareness grew stronger, until he could no longer deny it.
Curious but unbothered, Kuro began to piece together the truth. He realized he wasn't entirely alone in his body—someone else lingered, watching, silent but present. His reaction wasn't fear or panic but fascination. The idea of sharing his existence with another intrigued him, though he couldn't spare much time to dwell on it.
It wasn't until he turned sixteen, a young prince growing into his responsibilities, that he resolved to dig deeper. By then, he had long accepted Lior's existence as a quiet companion. But now, driven by both curiosity and compassion, he was determined to find a way to free her. The journey wouldn't be easy—his life, already burdened with royal duties, left little room for personal quests. Yet Kuro's unyielding spirit refused to let the matter rest.
Through his years of searching, Kuro leaned on Arnold, who, despite his protests, found himself drawn into yet another one of Kuro's schemes. Their bond, unchanged by the shifting circumstances of their lives, proved an anchor for the prince as he ventured into uncharted waters.
The glow of Noor equations faded, leaving behind a shimmering silhouette in its place. Kuro and Arnold watched, wide-eyed, as the figure began to solidify. The air buzzed with anticipation until, finally, a young girl with long white hair and bright blue eyes stood before them, her presence both familiar and new.
"Finally, you did it," she said with a sly smile, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeves.
Kuro, ever the quick wit, raised an eyebrow. "Wanna tell us your name, young lady?"
The girl tilted her head, as if pondering, before replying, "Hmm... Akari."
"Cute. That suits you," Kuro said without hesitation, grinning.
Arnold, standing beside him, gave an approving nod. "Yeah."
Akari's lips twitched into a mischievous smirk. "Actually... you named me, Kuro."
Kuro blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, I did? When?"
"That," Akari said, leaning in with a teasing sparkle in her eye, "is a secret of another life."
Before they could protest, she threw her arms around both of them in a warm, spontaneous hug. "I missed you idiots," she said, squeezing them tightly.
Kuro and Arnold froze, their faces quickly turning shades of red. "Wait, what? When did we meet before?" they both blurted out, stumbling over their words.
Akari stepped back, her grin widening as she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... later. Answers can wait. First, I'm starving."
Kuro groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "Oh, come on! You can't drop a bomb like that and then—"
Arnold cut him off with a resigned sigh. "Let's just feed her before she decides to drop another cryptic comment and drive us insane."
"Wise choice," Akari said, already heading for the nearest exit. "And make it quick. I've been stuck in Noor equations, and I swear, if there isn't cake involved, I'm going right back."
Kuro shot Arnold a helpless look, but all Arnold could do was shrug. "She's your problem now."
"Excuse me?" Kuro said, hurrying after her. "You're the one who nodded and agreed she was cute!"
Behind them, Akari's laughter echoed through the hall, the sound both sweet and filled with mischief.
As they settled into a comfortable space, the boys tried to digest the whirlwind of revelations. Akari, with her usual mix of lightheartedness and seriousness, looked at them both with a knowing glint in her eye.
"So, here's the deal," she started, leaning back and crossing her arms as if she were explaining something simple. "I'm living with you guys for the second time now. Well, kind of. You see, it's a bit of a... dimension-type trap." She paused for dramatic effect, watching the confused expressions on their faces. "It's a loop. I come here for six months, live a day as Lior in a cave, and then, at night... bam, I'm back here with you two. Simple, right?"
Kuro blinked. "Wait, so... you live in a cave? At night, you're here, and during the day, you're... not here?" He scratched his head. "Isn't that... exhausting?"
Akari shrugged, a nonchalant smile on her face. "It's not that bad. Honestly, I've gotten used to it. The whole 'being stuck in a loop' thing doesn't seem so bad when you're used to it. It's just... complicated."
Arnold, ever the inquisitive one, leaned forward. "But what happened to us... in that other life? You said you were there, too. What happened to us in that... other dimension?"
Akari's expression shifted for just a moment, her smile faltering ever so slightly before she recovered. She eyed them both, her gaze lingering longer than it should have.
"That... is something I can't answer right now," Akari said, her voice softer but still playful. "Some things are better left untold... or maybe, they're just not for you to know yet."
Kuro furrowed his brows, leaning closer. "But—"
"Ah ah!" Akari held up a finger, stopping him mid-sentence. "Don't get too curious. Some questions, trust me, will just make things... more complicated. And I like my life uncomplicated—at least, for now."
Arnold, sensing the change in the air, hesitated before nodding. "Alright, alright. But this whole... dimension loop thing sounds like it could drive anyone crazy. You've been stuck in this cycle for how long?"
Akari's smile returned, more teasing now. "Long enough to figure out how to make it bearable." She winked. "But I'm not saying more. Besides, you're supposed to be making me food. I've earned it after all this time."
Kuro groaned dramatically. "You know what? I think I prefer the mysterious version of you. At least you didn't demand cake every time you spoke."
"Would it really be me if I didn't?" Akari replied, her tone a playful challenge. "Now, where's the food? I'm starving."
The boys exchanged a look of exasperated amusement, then sighed in unison. "Yes, Akari," they muttered. And as they got up to make the meal, they both knew that whatever secrets Akari held, she wasn't about to share them anytime soon. But for now, they were just glad she was back, even if things were... complicated.
The meal, as expected, was quickly forgotten as they turned to the next pressing issue—how to explain Akari's sudden, mysterious appearance to their parents. The three of them gathered in the main hall, Kuro and Arnold standing side by side while Akari casually leaned against the wall, looking as if she had all the time in the world.
"So... we need a story," Kuro said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "A good one. Our parents are going to want an explanation, and I don't think 'she's from another dimension' is going to cut it."
Arnold nodded, already rubbing his temples in frustration. "Yeah, that would be... complicated to explain." He glanced at Akari. "Any ideas?"
Akari grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, it's a good thing I'm really good at creating stories."
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure that's something we should be relying on—"
"Too late," she interrupted, straightening up. "Here's what we're going to do: we found her in the jungle. We were out on a training mission, lost track of time, and stumbled upon her unconscious in a clearing. She had no memory of who she was or how she got there, and naturally, we took her in."
The boys blinked at her, processing the simplicity of it.
"That's... not bad," Kuro said slowly, clearly impressed.
Arnold chuckled, though there was a slight edge to his voice. "I swear, Akari, you're always one step ahead. But, uh, what about the fact that you're, you know... from another dimension?"
Akari's grin widened. "Details, details. You'll just need to omit the parts about dimensions, loops, and weird magic. Focus on the jungle part. It's believable, and it'll keep our parents from asking questions they don't need answers to. Trust me."
"Alright," Kuro said, already warming to the plan. "So, we found you unconscious, and you've got amnesia. Sounds simple enough. But we should also mention that we've been taking care of you for a while. Keep it grounded."
"Right," Arnold agreed, already working through the details in his head. "We'll make it sound like we've been looking after her and... making sure she's settled in."
Akari rolled her eyes but chuckled. "You two are so serious about this. Just act natural. We'll make it work."
The boys exchanged a glance. "Okay, we'll go with that," Kuro said, clapping Arnold on the back. "It's foolproof."
Akari smirked as they made their way to their parents' chambers. "If you say so, Kuro. Just remember, I'm really good at making things believable."
They reached the door, and Kuro turned to face her with a mock-serious expression. "Just don't get us caught in a lie, alright?"
Akari winked. "No promises."
As the door opened and they entered to face their parents, the boys immediately launched into the story. Akari, playing her part, looked every bit the lost, amnesiac girl they had "rescued" from the jungle. She kept her expression neutral, just as if she were hearing the tale for the first time.
Their parents, as expected, were concerned but welcoming. The story checked out, after all. A young girl, with no memory of her past, in the jungle? It was a reasonable enough tale.
"Thank you for taking her in," the king said, his voice warm. "It's good that you boys are helping someone in need."
Akari smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement, while Kuro and Arnold exchanged a triumphant look. The lie was in place, and no one suspected a thing.
For now, at least, their parents would be satisfied.
Life continued in its usual flow, but it wasn't without its changes. The first shift came when Kuro received the news: he was going to have another sibling. His parents, ever the doting rulers, were delighted. Kuro, however, couldn't hide his joy—not because he didn't love his future sibling, but because he was sure this meant he wasn't going to be the heir to the throne.
"Yes!" Kuro exclaimed the moment the news was shared. "I'm not going to be king! I'm free!" He threw his arms up in the air, spinning around in a mock victory dance, much to the amusement of his parents. His newfound sense of freedom was so evident, it was almost as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
Arnold, who had been quietly watching Kuro's outburst, raised an eyebrow. "You're not even pretending to act noble anymore, huh?" he teased.
Kuro shot him a grin. "Why pretend when I've just won the royal lottery? My sibling gets all the stress and responsibilities. I'm free to do whatever I want!"
Arnold smirked, but his smile faded a little as he thought about his own situation. As the second son of a duke, Arnold had few prospects of ever inheriting his father's title. And while he loved his family, the thought of staying in the shadow of his older brother, who was likely to inherit everything, left him with an overwhelming sense of... restlessness.
"So," Arnold said after a pause, his tone a little more serious, "when do we leave?"
Kuro blinked. "Leave? What do you mean?"
"Adventure," Arnold said with a grin. "I've got nothing tying me down. You're not becoming king, and I'm not becoming a duke. Why not go on a world trip? Explore all five kingdoms, meet new people, see new lands? We can get away from all this nobility nonsense."
Kuro looked at him, then glanced over at Akari, who was sitting nearby with a book in her lap. Her eyes flicked up from the pages, clearly intrigued by the conversation.
"Are you serious?" Kuro asked Arnold, his expression half-excited, half-suspicious.
"I've never been more serious in my life," Arnold said with a determined nod. "We'll sneak out. The royal duties, the noble titles—it's all a cage. Let's break free for a while."
Kuro grinned, his excitement building. "A world trip, huh? I like the sound of that. But you're dragging Akari with us, too, right?"
Akari, who had been half-listening, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what? I'm coming along now?"
"Of course," Kuro said, winking. "You're practically part of the family at this point. Besides, who else will keep us from doing something really stupid?"
Akari sighed dramatically but smiled, rolling her eyes. "Oh, sure. Make me the responsible one again. I swear, you two are going to get me into more trouble than I can handle."
Arnold shrugged. "That's the plan. You'll keep us out of the trouble we can't talk our way out of."
Kuro clapped his hands together, clearly enthusiastic. "Alright! It's settled then. We'll leave the kingdom behind, explore the five kingdoms, and live the life we want. No politics, no royal obligations—just us, our swords, and a whole lot of adventure!"
Akari shook her head, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. "This is going to be ridiculous, but... sure, why not? It's not like I have anything better to do."
And with that, the plan was set in motion. The trio began making preparations to slip away from their families unnoticed, secretly excited about the journey ahead. The five kingdoms were vast and filled with untold wonders, dangers, and mysteries, and they were going to see it all—together.
Their parents, of course, had no idea that the three of them were planning to run off, but Kuro and Arnold were ready to take the leap. As for Akari, well, she figured it would be a nice change of pace. She hadn't had an adventure like this in quite a while, and besides, being around these two was never boring.
The day came when they finally slipped away, taking nothing more than their packs, a couple of maps, and an unshakable sense of freedom. They set out into the unknown, leaving behind their titles, responsibilities, and expectations for what promised to be the most exciting and unpredictable journey of their lives.
"Alright, let's go!" Kuro cheered, leading the way with a wide grin plastered on his face.
Akari and Arnold followed, ready for whatever lay ahead, knowing that the world was far too big and interesting to stay tied down to a life they had no interest in living.
And so, their adventure began.
In this life kuro and arnold powers were opposite kuro now possessed light power and Arnold darkness power while kuro previous power was darkness and Arnold was light , akari sharing kuro soul also possessed light power while being able to use all her previous powers