Chapter 10: Ice Brothers
146 years ago
Nyla Village
It was a remarkably calm day as the ice demon stepped out of his quaint clinic, which also served as his home. The building was a charming two-story structure designed in traditional Japanese style, with elegant wooden beams and sliding shoji doors. The top floor was where the demon resided with his younger brother, while the bottom floor functioned as his clinic, a place of healing and solace for the villagers. The ice demon was known as the only healer in the entire village, a role he embraced wholeheartedly, finding purpose and fulfillment in his work.
As he emerged into the fresh air, the demon let out a soft yawn, rubbing the sleep from his left eye with a gentle hand. He took a moment to survey the village around him, a small smile spreading across his face as he noted the peaceful atmosphere. The streets were quiet, and the sun cast a warm glow over the rooftops, creating a picturesque scene. However, as he turned to head back inside, intent on tidying up the clinic and preparing for the day ahead, he oddly failed to notice that his younger brother was not at home. This small detail would soon lead to unexpected developments in their otherwise tranquil lives.
Outside of the quaint village, nestled among the trees, the demon’s younger brother sat in solitude beneath the shade of a large, gnarled tree. He hung his legs close to his body, his small frame curled up in a protective manner. Resting his head on his knees, he wore a deep frown that spoke volumes of his troubled thoughts. A noticeable cut marred his cheek, with blood trickling down, creating a stark contrast against his pale skin. As the drops of blood fell to the ground, they transformed into striking ice-red crystals, a unique phenomenon that showcased the boy's unusual abilities. This was one of the rare ways to extract ice crystals from him, a talent that was both a gift and a burden.
Ice crystals were considered a rare item in the mystical land of Elyasia, though they were not particularly sought after. While these crystals originated from Ice demons, it was known that some Ice demons possessed the extraordinary ability to create various types of ice crystals. The most common variety was a small, light blue crystal ball that was formed from tears, a symbol of sorrow and magic intertwined. However, other colors were much rarer and more mysterious. Among them were the elusive black and red crystals, whose origins and methods of creation remained shrouded in secrecy, leaving many to speculate about their significance.
After a period of contemplation, the boy let out a soft, almost defeated sigh. “I might...need to go home…” he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. The thought of returning to his home filled him with reluctance. He lived in a clinic, a place that was supposed to be a sanctuary, but instead, it felt more like a prison, especially with his older brother constantly around. While he didn’t harbor any hatred towards his brother, he found it difficult to trust him, which only added to his sense of isolation.
With a heavy heart and a frown etched on his face, he finally stood up, using the sturdy tree for support. He shook his head as if trying to dispel the negative thoughts swirling in his mind and began to walk slowly toward the village. Each step was a reminder of the pain coursing through his body, a slight ache that lingered from a recent confrontation. He had no desire to engage in any fights, yet some local kids had targeted him, believing him to be an easy target due to his small stature and apparent vulnerability. Little did they know the true extent of his ice magic, a power that could be both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Fortunately, no one had been seriously harmed during the scuffle, but he felt drained from the exertion of using his abilities.
As he stepped out of the dense forest and into the open space of the village, the young boy let out another light sigh, this one tinged with resignation. He instinctively placed a hand on his side, where the pain throbbed lightly, as he made his way through the familiar streets. The village was bustling with life, but he felt like a ghost, moving silently among the vibrant crowd. He eventually reached his home, slipping inside quietly and making his way up to his room without drawing attention to himself.
Before retreating to the solitude of his room, he paused for a moment to observe his older brother, who was diligently cleaning up the clinic area. The sight of his brother, focused and industrious, stirred a mix of emotions within him. He felt a pang of longing for a connection that seemed just out of reach, yet he also felt the weight of distrust that had built up over time.
Once inside his room, the young boy took a moment to clean the cut on his cheek, the blood now dried and crusted. He changed into fresh clothes, feeling a slight sense of relief as he shed the remnants of the day’s turmoil. However, he was not ready to stay home for long. The discomfort of being in the clinic, coupled with his complicated feelings towards his brother, pushed him to leave once more.
Lira hummed a gentle tune as she followed her niece, Lyra, around the quaint little village. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. However, her attention was drawn to Kai, who was walking a few steps behind them. He had a frown etched on his cute young face, which made Lira pause for a moment. She turned her gaze back to Lyra, only to blink in surprise at the sight before her. “Oh dear…” she murmured softly.
The young princess had just discovered a cat, a fluffy little creature with striking green eyes, but her excitement quickly turned to dismay when the cat scratched her delicate hand. Although she didn’t cry, Lira could hear her softly muttering “Owie” to herself, a clear indication that the scratch had hurt. With a small pout on her face, Lyra stood up and made her way over to her aunt, holding her hand out to show the light scratch that was now slightly bleeding.
“Are you okay?” Lira asked, concern lacing her voice as she knelt down to Lyra’s level.
“Yea… only a little owie….” Lyra replied, blinking her big eyes as she looked around, searching for Kai. “Where is Kai?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Lira thought for a moment, glancing around the village square, but she couldn’t spot him anywhere. With a shrug of her shoulders, she said, “I’m not sure, but let’s go see the young healer. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind taking a look at your hand.”
The younger girl nodded, still pouting slightly. She had always been a bit particular about who treated her injuries, preferring the gentle touch of either Kai or Takumi over anyone else.
As the small group stepped into the clinic, Lira smiled softly, her heart warming at the familiar sight. “Shard dear, are you busy?” she called out, her voice echoing slightly in the cozy space.
Shard, the ice demon, emerged from the back room, his long silver hair flowing behind him like a shimmering waterfall. He smiled lightly at the group, his golden eyes sparkling with warmth. “Ah, Lady Lira, welcome. I’m not busy at all, so what brings you here today?” he asked softly, his voice smooth and calming. He was dressed in soft white robes adorned with intricate snow crystal designs, which only added to his ethereal presence.
Lira hummed softly, her smile widening. “I have my niece here who needs you to take a look at her scratch, if you don’t mind.”
The ice demon blinked in surprise but quickly composed himself. He walked over and knelt down to Kyra’s level, his expression gentle. “May I see the scratch?” he asked, his voice filled with kindness.
The small girl frowned lightly, hesitating for a moment, but then she held out her left hand, revealing the scratch that was now slightly bleeding.
With utmost care, Shard took her hand in his, examining the injury closely. He then smiled lightly, his touch cool yet soothing as he ran a finger gently over the scratch, channeling his healing magic. “How is it now, Princess?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Lyra blinked in surprise as she took her hand back, inspecting it closely. “The owie is gone…. And the cold feeling felt nice,” she said, her face lighting up with a soft smile. “That was cool.”
Shard blinked, taken aback by her innocent enthusiasm, and then smiled lightly in return. “What a cute princess you are,” he said, his heart warming at her joy. He looked up at Lira, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “Where did you find her?”
Lira watched the interaction with a small smile, her heart swelling with pride. “Well, Shard, she is Kira’s oldest daughter and the future ruler of the north,” she explained, her voice filled with affection.
Shard hummed thoughtfully, considering the implications of her words. He weighed the pros and cons in his mind, contemplating the responsibilities that came with being associated with royalty.
“She wants to claim you, Shard dear. And Kai is still in training, though if you came to the castle, Takumi could train you as well,” Lira said softly, her tone encouraging.
He gave a small nod as he stood up, brushing off his robes. “Sure, I don’t mind. Plus, the people of this village don’t really need me anyways,” he replied, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Lyra’s face lit up with excitement. “Yay, I got an ice demon and Sis don’t!” she exclaimed, her joy infectious.
Lira sighed lightly, a mix of amusement and exasperation in her expression. “Don’t ask about that, Shard. Her and Mira are not officially trying to outdo each other, but it certainly seems like they are,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of laughter as she glanced at her niece.
“I see,” Shard replied, his expression thoughtful as he listened to Lira’s words. The dynamics of the young princesses intrigued him, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of responsibility toward them.
As they left the clinic, Lira felt a sense of warmth enveloping her heart. She knew that with Shard’s presence, the village would be better off, and her niece would have a new friend to share her adventures with. The sun continued to shine brightly overhead, casting a golden hue over the village, and Lira couldn’t help but feel that this was just the beginning of a beautiful journey for all of them
Somewhere in the northern lands
Shard was wandering through the vast and rugged northern lands, just as he had been instructed to do. His mission was clear: he was to treat anyone who was sick or injured as part of his ongoing training. This was not a solitary endeavor, as his companion Kai was also engaged in similar work, albeit in a different region. While Shard roamed the northern territories, Kai was busy tending to the needs of the people in the southern lands, each of them contributing to their training in their own unique ways.
At this particular moment, Shard found himself situated between the flowing waters of the main river Yeke and the burgeoning city of Alysia. He was focused on his task, minding his own business and attending to the needs of the locals when he suddenly spotted a young boy walking alone. There was something about the boy that tugged at Shard's memory, a sense of familiarity that he couldn't quite place. Intrigued, he decided to approach the boy to see if he could uncover the reason behind this feeling.
As Shard drew closer, the sense of recognition intensified. “Yuki?” he called out, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and excitement.
The teen blinked in response, halting in his tracks before turning to face the older male. A frown quickly formed on his lips, clearly indicating his displeasure. “Great…,” he muttered, a hint of sarcasm lacing his tone.
Once Shard reached the teen, he couldn't help but pull him into a warm embrace. “Yuki, where have you been? I’ve missed you so much, and a lot has happened since we last saw each other,” he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine concern and affection.
Yuki frowned, flinching slightly from the unexpected hug but ultimately choosing not to push his older brother away. “I’ve been around…,” he replied, his voice trailing off. “And what exactly has happened?”
The older male hummed lightly, contemplating how best to share the news. “Well, for starters, I’ve been working at the castle as a backup healer. It’s been quite the experience, and I want you to come work there as well,” he said, his enthusiasm evident.
The teen blinked in surprise, his expression shifting to one of skepticism. “Work for the princess? Why on earth would I want to do that?” he asked, a small frown creasing his brow as he considered the implications.
Shard’s smile widened, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s simple, really. You could become one of her Paladins or Guards. Think about it! You’d be part of something important,” he urged, trying to convey the significance of the opportunity.
Yuki glared at him, crossing his arms defiantly. “You’re not going to let me choose, are you?” he challenged, clearly unhappy with the lack of agency in the decision.
The older male smirked lightly, a playful glint in his eye. “Nope~” he replied cheerfully. With that, Shard took hold of Yuki’s arm and began to pull him toward the northern castle, determined to bring his brother into this new chapter of their lives, regardless of Yuki’s initial reluctance. The journey ahead promised to be filled with challenges and adventures, and Shard was eager to share it all with his younger brother.
Northern Castle
Lyra ran excitedly up to Shard and enveloped him in a warm hug, her face lighting up with joy. “Shard, you are back!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. As she pulled away, her gaze shifted to the figure standing beside him, and she blinked in surprise. “Who’s this?” she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
Shard blinked in response, then a gentle smile spread across his face as he patted her affectionately on the head. “Yep, I’m back! And this is my younger brother, Yuki,” he introduced, his pride evident.
Lyra’s expression softened as she released Shard and took a few steps closer to the teen. “Hello, Yuki,” she greeted him warmly, her voice friendly and inviting.
Yuki, with a hint of shyness, hummed lightly and returned her greeting with a small smile. “Hello, Princess…” he replied, his tone respectful yet a bit hesitant.
Shard turned to Lyra, his smile still present. “Princess, can you claim Yuki as well?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Lyra blinked, pondering the question for a moment. “Yuki, you can use ice magic, right?” she inquired, her interest piqued.
The teen boy nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. “Yes, I can…”
The princess hummed softly, her mind racing with possibilities. “Then would you like to be claimed?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Yuki sighed lightly, feeling the weight of Shard’s expectant gaze on him. “Sure…” he finally agreed, a small smile breaking through his initial hesitation.
“Yay! I got more than my sister now!” Lyra giggled softly, her laughter ringing through the air as Shard shook his head, a mix of amusement and affection in his expression.