Chapter 13 : The Lion Returns
The house felt emptier already.
Elara was packing her things—uniforms, training gear, the wooden sword Father gave her when she first began.
She tried to act excited, boasting about how she’d beat everyone at the academy, how she’d become the number one swordswoman and prove the Valemont name.
But when she looked at me, her smile wavered.
“Rooga,” she crouched down, tying the strap on her bag, “I won’t be around to train with you for a while. But you’ll be good, right?”
I puffed my cheeks and crossed my little arms, glaring at her like the toddler I was supposed to be. “Elara… go?”
She laughed, ruffling my hair. “Yeah, little brother. I have to. The academy will make me stronger. Strong enough to protect you and Mama. And maybe this new baby too.”
Her hand brushed Mama’s stomach, her eyes softening.
Selene smiled faintly, though her hand stayed protectively over the swell of her belly. “Study hard, Elara. And don’t forget—you’re still my daughter before you are a swordsman.”
Elara rolled her eyes, but her cheeks turned pink. “I know, Mama.”
That night, when the house was quiet, Mama and I sat together again for practice. She was slower now, pausing often to rest her hand on her stomach.
I made a small spark in my palm, shaky but steady. She clapped softly, pride shining through her tiredness.
“Elara is going to shine out there,” she murmured. “But you, Rooga… you’re the hidden star. No one knows yet, but you’ll burn brighter than them all.”
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Her voice dropped, almost to a whisper. “Sometimes I’m scared of that.”
I didn’t know how to answer—not with words, not as a toddler. So I just leaned against her, resting my tiny head on her side, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat and the faint sound of life stirring in her belly.
She stroked my hair, tears glimmering in her eyes. “You’ll all grow up too fast. My little swordswoman, my little magician… and soon, a newborn. I wish time would slow down, just a little.”
I clenched my fist, sparks dancing faintly. In my head, I made the vow again.
I’ll protect them. All of them. No matter what.
The day Father came home, the whole house stirred.
Servants rushed to prepare, Elara’s sword practice was forgotten, and Mama kept smoothing her dress though she was already glowing with her pregnancy.
I waddled to the doorway, tiny feet slapping the floor, just as the gates opened.
And there he was.
Darius Valemont—the Lion of the battlefield. The man who once stood unyielding, sword raised against whole armies.
But he was thinner now. His cheeks were hollow, his skin pale. His shoulders still broad, his steps still steady, but slower. Weaker.
Mama’s smile faltered for only a heartbeat before she rushed forward. “Darius!”
He caught her in his arms, his face softening as he pressed his forehead to hers.
For a moment, it was as though nothing had changed. But I could see it. His grip was looser. His breaths were shallow.
Elara stood frozen, eyes wide. “…Father?”
He turned to her, forcing a proud smile. “You’ve grown stronger already, haven’t you? The academy will shape you well.”
Her lips trembled, but she nodded, hiding the worry in her eyes.
Then his gaze fell on me. I toddled closer, my little arms outstretched. “Papa!”
He bent down, scooping me into his arms.
His strength was still there, but… it felt different. His embrace was heavy, not because of power, but because of exhaustion.
He kissed my forehead, his voice hoarse. “You’ve grown, Rooga. A Valemont through and through.”
Mama’s smile was bright, but her eyes shimmered. She pressed her hand to his cheek, whispering so softly only I could hear it. “You’re burning up.”
Darius kissed her hand, brushing it away. “It’s nothing. Just the fatigue of war.”
But even as he said it, his other hand trembled. And in my HUD, faint text flickered:
[Observation: Subject’s vitality decreasing abnormally.]I didn’t know the word yet. But in my mind, one truth settled.[Possible anomaly detected – Unknown Mana Interference.]
Father was cursed.
And our family’s shadow had only just begun.