War had become so ancient that no one remembered how it had begun.
Demons.
Humans.
Fairies.
Three bloodlines locked in an endless cycle of conflict, alliances, betrayals, and bloodshed.
Kingdoms rose.
Kingdoms fell.
Yet the war endured.
Some whispered that the answers lay hidden within forgotten scrolls buried deep beneath the world.
Others claimed the truth had long since been erased.
No one knew.
And perhaps no one was meant to.
On a silent night beneath a moonless sky, the Palace of Darkness stood unusually still.
The torches lining its black walls flickered restlessly.
Servants moved in hushed whispers.
Even the royal guards seemed tense.
Something important was about to happen.
Inside the palace’s grand chamber, the ruler of the Demon Empire stood beside a golden cradle.
For the first time in many years, celebration echoed throughout the palace.
An heir had been born.
A son.
The future successor of the Dark Throne.
His name was Kentro.
The newborn possessed hair darker than midnight itself and crimson eyes that seemed strangely aware of the world around him.
The Queen held him gently in her arms, smiling despite her exhaustion.
“He is beautiful,” she whispered softly.
The Demon King remained silent.
His crimson gaze never left the child.
Something about those eyes felt unusual.
Ancient.
Almost unsettling.
Around them stood the Four Archmages, the greatest magic users within the Demon Empire.
The Archmage of Fire frowned.
“Do you feel that?”
The Archmage of Water nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
The Archmage of Wind crossed his arms.
“There is something strange about him.”
Only the Archmage of Earth remained silent.
His eyes never left the infant.
As though he were searching for an answer he could not find.
The Queen laughed softly.
“You speak as though he were a monster.”
No one answered.
The silence itself was answer enough.
Finally, the Demon King spoke.
“This child will surpass us all.”
His voice carried absolute certainty.
No one dared challenge him.
Outside the palace walls, the entire capital celebrated.
Dark banners filled the streets.
Magical lanterns illuminated the night.
Music echoed through every district.
The birth of the heir was considered a blessing.
A promise.
The beginning of a new era.
News travels quickly.
Within days, whispers crossed borders.
The Human Kingdom learned of the birth.
The Great Church took interest.
Even beyond the hidden lands of the Fairies, silent eyes turned toward the Demon Empire.
An heir had been born.
And in a world ruled by power…
The birth of an heir could change everything.
Years passed.
Kentro grew beneath the watchful eyes of the entire empire.
Every lesson.
Every mistake.
Every achievement.
Observed.
Measured.
Judged.
Because heirs were not raised like ordinary children.
They were forged.
Prepared.
Shaped into weapons for the future.
And when Kentro reached the age of five…
The day finally arrived.
The Crystal Ritual.
An ancient ceremony shared by all three bloodlines.
A ritual capable of revealing the nature of one’s magic and the limits of one’s potential.
For centuries, it had never failed.
The royal hall overflowed with nobles, generals, servants, and archmages.
At the center stood the Crystal.
A towering pillar of translucent blue light.
Alive.
Breathing.
Waiting.
The Demon King sat upon his throne and raised one hand.
The hall fell silent immediately.
“Begin.”
The command echoed throughout the chamber.
Every eye turned toward the young heir.
Kentro swallowed nervously.
He did not understand why everyone seemed so serious.
Why every gaze felt so heavy.
But he obeyed.
Step.
By step.
By step.
Until he stood before the Crystal.
The entire hall held its breath.
Slowly, Kentro raised his hand.
The crystal shimmered faintly.
Its surface felt cold.
Ancient.
Unfamiliar.
Then his fingers touched it.
And at that exact moment…
Something impossible happened.
To Be Continued…