Chapter 1: Tragic Start of Life
"Tell me a story, Mama." Kael's voice was soft, expectant, carrying the sleepy weight of a child who didn't yet understand the dangers of the world. He was four years old, and in his little universe, stories always had happy endings.
His mother, standing by the counter with a warm mug of cinnamon tea in her hands, smiled down at him. Her dark hair was loose over her shoulders, and her amber eyes glowed softly under the dim light of the penthouse.
"A story, hmm?" she mused, taking a slow sip of her tea. "And what kind of story does my little star want to hear?"
Kael grinned, sitting cross-legged on the marble floor, surrounded by stacks of golden coin rolls. "A good one. One with treasure."
His mother chuckled, setting down her mug and walking toward him, her heels clicking lightly. She crouched beside him, brushing a hand through his messy curls. "Treasure, huh? Alright then... Once upon a time, there was a boy who held the key to a great secret."
Kael leaned in, eyes wide. "What kind of secret?"
"A powerful one." She tapped his nose playfully. "One that could change the world."
He giggled, but before she could continue, the doorbell rang.
The warmth in the room vanished in an instant.
Kael felt it immediately—the way his mother's smile faded, how her body stiffened as she stood. The gentle hum of the slow piano song playing in the background suddenly felt too loud, too sharp.
His father, seated at his desk across the room, barely hesitated before rising. His face was unreadable, but Kael saw the tension in his shoulders.