Aerotora Kingdom
Year 5578 (Present Time)

Heavy droplets pelted his tall and broad frame. He paid no mind to the rain as it soaked through the hood of his black knee-length coat and flattened his hair against his head. His boots squished beneath him from each step he took through the muddy and wet path leading to his house.

He could hear the animals tweeting, squeaking, howling, or growling as they took cover from the intense downpour. Most took refuge among the tall trees of the forest, while some ran further out to probably find a cave or hole to hide in.

Even when the rain intensified, he maintained his leisure pace. Nobody was rushing him to go home to his small empty house. Besides, he loved the rain ever since he was a child. He would take every chance there was to be under it and enjoy the cool water cascading down his face and body.

He looked up at the grey sky and exhaled a breath, forming a small cloud of mist. He only wished he still had his family to share his love for the rain with.

When he looked back to his front, his eyes caught a small house made from green-painted stone nestled in a small clearing surrounded by the forest trees. Water slid down its blue tiled roof and unto the trimmed grass. The potted plants on the balustrade of the porch swayed every now and then as gusts blew by.

He stood there, only watching the house, before he decided to go in. Water from his wet clothes dripped down to the wooden floor of the small veranda as he walked up to the oak door. One of his hands crept into one of his trouser pockets and felt for the crystal key.

However, when he swiped the yellow crystal slab on the lock, he realized that the door was opened. He froze in his position. He closed his eyes and strained his ears for any sound that might come from inside the house. After hearing nothing but silence, he pushed the door ajar before slipping inside like a snake.

The house was shrouded in utter darkness, so he relied on his keen sense of hearing. With soundless footsteps, he walked down the narrow hall and to his living room. His hand went to his belt and pulled out a small brown-hilted knife. He listened once more. This time, he heard whispers. There was more than one person in his house judging by the incoherent but distinguishable voices.

He pressed himself on the wall next to the doorway of his living area before counting down in his mind. When he reached five, he entered the room with a swift turn.

The lights turned on and stunned him. His vision swam from the sudden burst of brightness before his eardrums exploded as well.

"Happy birthday!" voices yelled.

He shook his head like it was a leaf amidst a powerful storm. He blinked and blinked until his blurry vision cleared. Before him, stood the three people he considered his family. When they saw his drenched state however, the grins dropped from their faces.

"Kylon Zedrius Stealsan," a man said with knitted brows, "I'm sure you know umbrellas exist, so why didn't you use one?"

Kylon blinked, still surprised from their presence in his house. When he saw the man's brown eyes narrowing into a glare at him he opted to speak.

"I didn't think it would rain, Robert," he lied. Robert pursed his lips, and Kylon knew the man didn't believe his words. However, he nodded and Kylon released a sigh.

Laughter came from the two females in the room. A girl not much older than 15 scrutinized him from head to foot with her mud brown eyes. She looked thoughtful for a moment before she pointed up at him.

"You're getting old Kylon!" she yelled.

His right eye twitched at that one. "Twenty-one isn't old you little―"

"All right, that's enough you two," a woman said. She walked up to Kylon before reaching out to touch his cheek. It was a little difficult for he was taller than her by two heads. "You should go and change before you catch a cold, dear."

He looked into her warm russet eyes before nodding. He turned to head for his room, only to pause.

"Reya, sweetheart, go and get some cloth and a bucket of water," the woman said. "Help me clean up all this mud."

"Nanny Maeya, there's no need for you to do that," Kylon said as he turned. "I can clean it up myself."

"We can't let the birthday celebrant do chores on his special day," Maeya said. "Now go and change before I decide change you myself. It may have been years since I last did that, but I won't hesitate to do it now if you don't listen to me."

Kylon's eyes widened and he took a step back. When Maeya raised her fist and began lifting her finger one by one as she counted to five, he bolted for his room at three. He knew that if had stayed longer, his old nanny would definitely dress him herself.

―――

He entered his dining room, fresh from his warm bath. When he finished pulling on his shirt, Reya rammed into him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and tried to crush him with her embrace. He laughed and patted her head.

He rarely used his dining table to eat since he had his meals mostly in his living room. However, the said table brimmed with all of his favorite food and he felt his stomach grumble and his mouth water.

"It's time to eat," Maeya said. He headed for a seat and plopped himself down in front of the small round vanilla cake. He eyed the orange slices arranged on top of it in a swirling pattern, making him even hungrier. Robert appeared and stuck a lit blue candle in the middle of the cake.

When he saw the three about to open their mouths―and sing the blasted song―he held up his hand. "Please," he said, "don't sing it. I'm already too old for the song."

They stared at him, just stared. A sigh escaped their lips before small smiles formed on their faces.

"Then just make a wish, Kylon," Robert said. Kylon stared at the yellow-orange flame eating away at the blue candle, wondering what to wish for. He always considered it a stupid tradition ever since he was six. He wished then that he would always be together with his family. However, it never came true.

He closed his eyes and spoke in his mind. I wish you are well wherever you all are, he thought. I promise to make you all proud and perform my duties as a Tome Keeper...and as one of the Destined, no matter how hard it gets. I swear to find justice for your deaths.

Once he opened his eyes, he blew the candle out, causing a thin wisp of smoke to rise to the ceiling. Reya then clapped her hands before hugging him once more.

―――

His mug of hot chocolate gave warmth to his hands from the cold the heavy rain brought. He looked up at the crying sky and took a sip from his drink.

One of the reasons he loved the rain was because it calmed him. Just by watching it fall or stand under the downpour, he felt like all of his problems and worries would be washed away and his shoulders would ease.

"Can I join you?"

Kylon twisted his neck to look over his shoulder at the approaching Robert. He nodded as a reply and his attention went back to the rain pelting the forest surrounding his house.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Robert lean against the railings and copied his position. He also had a blue mug of hot chocolate and his gaze stared out in front of them. The sound of the droplets of rain landing on the roof was the only thing keeping silence from engulfing them. They remained there, leaning against the balustrade with their forearms.

"How are you?" Robert asked. "I haven't heard from you much for the past few weeks."

"I've been busy," Kylon said. "There's lots of work to be done in Mr. Han's farm." He brought his mug to his lip and tipped it over, pouring the remaining contents down his throat.

"You don't have to work, you know?" Robert said. "You can live a comfortable life in Scinan City's inner circle. Just say the word, and as your family's butler, I'll make it happen."

He faced the older man, and ran his gaze over his aged features. Wrinkles formed at the corners of his eyes and forehead. His short brown beard already had white and grey streaks on it. Kylon could still remember a time where he looked so much younger, and he looked nothing like the way he was now. He turned to his front door, his back to the forest and leaned on the balustrade. The empty mug dangled from his hold.

"I already told you that I'll only touch my inheritance for emergency purposes only. I can handle myself," Kylon said. "Besides, I need to lie low. I'm the only survivor of my clan, and I don't want those murderers coming after me...just yet. I still need time."

"I see that your will to hunt them down hasn't diminished at all," Robert said. He reached out and ran his fingers through Kylon's hair. Kylon closed his eyes at the sensation. There was something always so soothing about someone's fingers brushing against one's scalp. His mother and father used to do it a lot on him.

"For my family," he said. Robert retracted his hand and nodded. When he decided to go back inside, Robert stopped him. He watched as the man took a golden envelope from his pocket and handed it to him. On the back, he saw his name written in elegant cursive before he flipped it over. When he did, he saw a picture of a swan amidst swirling patterns which resembled the wind keeping the flap closed. It was the seal of Aerotora's royal family, and he knew who sent it.

"Her Highness wishes you a happy birthday," Robert said. The man reached into his brown coat and pulled out a roll of golden parchment. A ribbon held it in place along with the same emblem of the Royal Family. "She said that this will be her present for you."

Looking at the rolled paper, he knew it was an invitation. A royal invitation and one he couldn't deny. He took it from Robert and glanced down and he glanced back at the envelope.

"I take it you already know what this means?" Robert asked. He nodded in answer. When Robert saw the gesture, he patted Kylon's shoulder and continued speaking. "Then allow me to pack your things."

He remained mute as he watched his old butler go back inside. His hand held tightly on the envelope, before he opened the seal and took out the letter. It read:

To little Stealsan,

How are you Kylon? Do you still remember me? I hope you do. It's been a while since I've seen you. Happy birthday, my dear. I wish I could call you through the crystal and talk personally but I know it will risk exposing your identity.

However, I do wish to tell you something. I want you to come to Akion, and meet Anika. It's finally safe for the both of you to meet and it's about time you see each other. Your clans, especially your parents, would want so if they were still with us.

I'd like you to get to know each other. And when time comes that the both of you will have to set out and fulfill your destinies, you'd find it easier to be in each other's company and work together.

You can't deny my invitation, my dear. I hope to see you soon.

                                                                                           -Orelia de la van Versal, First Guardian of the Four Continents, Queen of Aerotora