The room was grand, filled with soft red curtains and golden light. A boy no older than three lay in a silk-lined cradle, his black hair messy against the pillows, crimson eyes fixed on the woman before him.
Elara sat nearby on a plush bed, her arms wrapped around Anastasia, who nestled in her lap, listening intently as her mother read from an old, leather-bound book.
Titled: The Crown of Ashes
"Once," Elara began, "there were six siblings, born under a strange, split-tailed comet. They lived in a kingdom of glittering towers and singing rivers."
The boy listened, his expression calm, though his mind was anything but.
"The youngest brother was the strongest—he could crush stones with his hands. The fifth brother was the trickster, playing pranks even the gods could not forgive. The fourth was the kindest and cleverest, but the sins in his heart grew rotten. The third sister was the wisest, though her truths cut like knives. The second brother lived by the law, strict and unyielding. And the eldest?" Elara's voice softened. "He was called the bravest… or so everyone believed."
The fire crackled. Ana tugged her blanket closer.
"The fourth brother poisoned their hearts," Elara whispered. "He sowed doubt and fear, twisting their love. The second brother fell by his own blade, betrayed by trust. And when he fell, the youngest—wild and fierce—unleashed a final breath of fury. His rage was so powerful, it ensnared them all, binding their souls to a storm of endless wrath. Yet even in his vengeance, he could not escape fate. The eldest's sword, the third's cold judgment… all struck him down. His laughter drowned in blood."
She turned the page, her voice carrying the weight of an ending already written.
"The third sister was exiled. The fifth brother vanished, taking secrets only the stars knew. And the fourth… he was trapped in darkness, cursed by the youngest's dying wrath. Only the eldest remained, wearing his 'bravery' like a mask. He took the throne… but it was a crown of ashes. And in the end, he ate the last scrap of bread in the kingdom, alone."
Ana shivered. "Why did the fourth brother become evil, Mother?"
Elara's sharp gaze met hers. She cupped Ana's cheek, her fingers warm. "Because he let his emotions control him. And this is what happens when you let your emotions dictate your actions."
As she watched her children drift into sleep, she placed a kiss on their foreheads, tucked the blankets snugly around them, and quietly shut the door.
The moment it clicked shut, Amon's eyes snapped open.
*So even noble houses like Oltheros read the tale of the Crown of Ashes to their children…*
He let out a slow breath. But that changes nothing about my situation.
Three years had passed since Amon had reincarnated, yet nothing had changed. His body was weak. His mana veins were nonexistent. And his future—bleak.
In ten years, fate would test him. A tragedy loomed on the horizon, one that would determine whether he could carve a path to a future with his loved ones or be swallowed by despair once more.
But he refused to remain powerless.
If he could not wield mana, he would awaken his will. But without hardship, without battle, there was only one way to temper his will—by confronting his past.
For two and a half years, he had tried. Again and again, he forced himself to relive those moments, to face the nightmare that had shaped him. But every time he reached that moment—the moment—despair overwhelmed him. He would wake trembling, his resolve shattered.
'Not this time.'
Amon steadied his breath, forcing his body into stillness. He knew there were Transcendent-ranked watchers keeping an eye on him and Anastasia. If he wanted to do this, it had to be subtle.
His eyes fluttered shut. He sank deep into his mind, into the memories he had tried so hard to suppress.
And then—
—The scent of warm bread and roasted meat filled the air.
---
Laughter echoed through the halls of Starlight Orphanage. The children buzzed with excitement, their voices overlapping in eager chatter. Tonight was special. Tonight was a feast.
For the first time in their lives, the orphans of Starlight were preparing for a grand celebration. And it was all because of Alex—their big brother, their hero—who had just won the world championship of Sovereigns Conquest's .
"He did it! He actually did it!" Benny's excited voice rang out as he dashed across the main hall, nearly crashing into Maria, who was balancing a tray of food.
"Watch it, Benny!" she scolded, tightening her grip to keep the freshly baked apple pies from toppling over. "Do you want this all over the floor?"
"Sorry, sorry!" Benny grinned, barely slowing as he ran toward a group of children gathered near the windows. "But Alex won! Do you know what that means? Fifty million dollars! We're gonna be rich!"
Gasps of awe filled the room.
"Do you think he'll buy us a big house?" Leo, the youngest, asked as he clung to Ellie's sleeve.
"Of course!" Benny puffed his chest. "Maybe even a castle!"
Ellie chuckled. "I don't think Alex cares about castles, Benny. He just wants us to be happy."
"And safe," Maria added, finally placing the tray on the table. "That's what he always says."
The orphanage was alive with color—paper streamers twisted across the ceiling, hand-drawn banners of Alex's victory pinned to the walls. David frowned as he adjusted a banner for the third time.
"It looks fine," his twin, Diana, said. "You're just being a perfectionist."
David huffed but let it be. "I just want everything to be perfect when Alex gets here."
Excitement buzzed in the air.
In the kitchen, Miss Evelyn, the matron, oversaw the preparations. Stern though she was, tonight, warmth softened her gaze as she watched her children work together.
"Alright, everyone," she called, clapping her hands. "We're almost ready. Just a little more patience, and then we celebrate when Alex arrives."
A cheer erupted. They had waited for this night for so long—a moment of happiness, of togetherness.
Benny pressed his face against the cold glass of the front door for what felt like the hundredth time. "Where is he?" he whined, bouncing on his heels. "He should be here by now!"
The children gathered, anticipation shining in their eyes.
"Maybe he's getting something special for us," Ellie guessed.
"Or maybe he's taking pictures with reporters!" Diana added.
"Maybe he's—" Benny began, but Miss Evelyn rested a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Patience, Benny," she said softly. "He'll be here soon."
They nodded. The night was young, the future bright.
They had no idea how quickly it would all be taken away.
And as Amon relived this memory, he braced himself for what came next.
The moment that changed everything.
The moment that shattered him.