Flashback Begins…
Five Years Ago – The Fall of the Pyronis Empire
A grand celebration was underway in the capital town of the Pyronis Empire. Citizens cheered and gathered in the thousands, eager to witness a historic moment.
The king stepped forward, his voice resonating with pride.
"Today, I, the ruler of this town and this country, announce that my eldest son, Zach Hale, will become the new king."
Applause erupted across the kingdom. Joy filled the air.
But just as the king handed over his crown, a loud gunshot cracked through the hall. The crowd gasped.
Zach Hale staggered back—he had been shot on his arm.
In the chaos, a masked figure seized Zach. Then, in front of the stunned audience, he turned the gun on the king and fired on him and the king is died.
The royal chamber fell into absolute silence, broken only by screams and cries. Panic spread like wildfire.
The assassin removed his mask—it was the king's younger son, cross Hale.
Cross's face was twisted with resentment.
"I begged you, Father," he spat. "I asked you kindly to make me the ruler. But you rejected me."
He stepped over king's dying body.
"You left me no choice."
With cold fury, he declared himself king, and his loyal army stormed in, capturing everyone in the royal chamber.
Amid the chaos, a woman cried out—Zach's wife. She clutched their young daughter, Ari Hale, who sat beside her, trembling in fear.
Cross approached them, raising his hand to seize them both.
But before he could, Zach's wife handed Ari to a trusted royal guard.
"Take her!" she whispered. "Go to the Central Empire. This is the address—don't stop running!"
The guard wrapped Ari tightly and sprinted through a hidden passage. Behind them, Finn's men shouted,
"Don't let the girl escape! She's the one the master wants!"
Blades clashed. Magic surged through the hall.
The guard fought fiercely, shielding Ari from every attack. But then, Finn himself appeared and unleashed a fiery spell, striking near Ari.
The guard took the blow, protecting her—but the flames still scorched the right side of her face, leaving a burn scar just above her eye.
For five days, the guard ran, fighting off cross's army and surviving on sheer will. At last, they reached the Central Empire. There, he delivered Ari to the address her mother had given him—where safety awaited.
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Present Day – Lyra's Realization
Back in the present, Imperial turned to Ari.
"You don't have to hide your scar with your hair," he said gently. "You look beautiful with it too."
Ari looked away, touched.
Lyra, watching closely, suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Now I know why your face looks so familiar…"
She stepped closer, voice calm but intense.
"Tell me… what's your full name?"
Ari hesitated, then answered,
"My full name is… Ari Hale."
Lyra's eyes widened.
"You're from the royal family of the Pyronis Empire, aren't you?"
Ari nodded slowly.
Lyra smiled warmly.
"You are as beautiful as your mother—perhaps even more."
Ari blinked. "You… knew my mother?"
Lyra nodded, eyes filled with distant memory.
"Years ago, Cyrus and I visited your empire for a summit between the five great empires. Your mother was our host—graceful, kind, and proud. She guided me through your homeland, which was filled with rivers, ponds, and waterfalls. Everything was so pure… unlike our artificial city."
She paused, then whispered,
"I'm so sorry for what happened to your parents."
Ari shook her head. "No, Aunt Lyra. Don't be sorry. But I do want to find out why they were captured… and why they wanted me."
She reached into her pocket and held up her locket.
"This locket pulls me toward the Pillar. My parents gave it to me… There must be a connection."
She turned to Imperial.
"Please… I want to join your journey."
Imperial smiled.
"Yeah, okay. You're with me."
Kai chuckled. "So, when are you leaving?"
Imperial scratched his head. "Maybe tomorrow… or the day after."
Kai raised a brow. "Maybe?"
"I need to come up with a plan first."
Ari, Lyra, and Kai stared at him.
"You mean… you didn't have a plan already?" Kai asked, half-joking.
"I'll think it through tonight," Imperial said with a grin. "I've got time."
Ari rolled her eyes. "One night to plan a whole journey? We're doomed."
They all laughed.
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The Next Morning – Departure Preparations
That night, Imperial stayed up late, staring at the full moon, thinking about everything ahead.
By morning, Ari was helping Lyra in the kitchen. Kai was getting suited for his own mission.
Kai spotted Imperial coming down.
"You're finally awake. So—did you plan?"
"Yeah."
"Good. And… I assume you're not joining the royal army then?"
"Nope."
Kai handed him a form. "Then sign this. Official refusal."
Imperial signed it. Kai nodded.
"Good luck, Imperial. I'm sure you'll achieve what you're chasing."
They hugged, then Kai said goodbye to Lyra and left.
Lyra handed Imperial a communication crystal.
"Call me regularly."
"Thanks, Mom."
She then noticed Ari's packed bag.
"What's in there?"
"Travel supplies," Ari said. "Tent, clothes, and everything we might need."
"Smart," Imperial said. "We're almost ready."
Lyra smiled.
"Ari, wear the outfit I bought for you. It suits you."
Ari returned dressed and ready.
Before they left, Lyra handed Imperial a card.
"What's this?"
"The Alden family card. You're visiting other empires—this gives you access to restricted places."
"Thanks, Mom." Imperial hugged her tightly. Though she smiled, her eyes were full of unspoken sadness.
Ari also hugged Lyra.
"I'll take care of Imperial."
"And you," Lyra turned to Imperial, "take care of her. Don't be annoying."
"What? She's not a kid!"
Lyra smiled sweetly—though her aura turned sharp.
"Excuse me?"
"Okay, okay! I'll protect her like a gentleman."
"Good."
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Into the Journey
They boarded the royal cart, headed toward the empire's border. Then, Imperial gave the driver a new command.
"Take us into the forest."
There, Master Kaien awaited.
"Imperial!" he said, grinning. "I thought you forgot me!"
"No way, Master. You used me to make money—how could I forget?"
Kaien laughed. "Still holding onto that, huh?"
They joked and embraced. Kaien patted Imperial's back.
"All the best, both of you."
And so, Imperial and Ari set off—not as royals, but as wanderers—into the unknown lands, where secrets, battles, and truths awaited them.