chapter 7

Felix's Pov

That day, flames consumed our country mercilessly. The sound of explosions, screams, and clashing swords blended with the unbearable heat. I ran with my mother, her trembling hand gripping mine tightly. Her face was full of fear, but she tried hard to stay calm in front of me. "Felix, it's okay. You're safe," she said in a soft yet shaky voice. We kept running, pushing through the smoke and debris that flew around us.

Everywhere we looked, the fire raged, destroying homes and buildings. We were being chased by enemies that never stopped. In the midst of our escape, I saw Emperor Claude—the powerful man we had always respected—fighting for his life against the attackers. His sword gleamed in the firelight as he cut down his enemies, but there were too many. The emperor was surrounded, and I knew his fight might be over.

Then, in my limited view through the chaos, I saw Princess Athanasia and Lilian York—my childhood friends—fleeing. Lilian was being carried by her mother, who was desperately trying to protect her. Lilian's eyes met mine for a brief moment, but we couldn't speak to each other. They ran in a different direction, and deep down, I knew it might be the last time we'd see each other. Sadness began to creep into my heart, but there was no time to dwell on it.

We kept running until we reached a dead-end alley. There was no way out. My mother stood in front of me, shielding me with her wounded body. Her breathing was ragged, but she still tried to stand tall, facing the enemies that had surrounded us. Then, in an instant, a sword pierced through her body. I watched it happen—I saw the blade stab straight through her heart.

"Mother!" I screamed, but the sound caught in my throat. I couldn't move; my body was frozen. It all felt like an unending nightmare. My mother slowly collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from her wound. With a weak voice, she said, "Felix, run... Run, and find the child from the prophecy." Tears streamed down her face, but she smiled at me. It was her final smile.

I don't know where the strength came from, but I ran. I left my mother, left everything behind. Her last words echoed in my mind, becoming the only reason I kept running north, as the prophecy had said. Without food, without sleep, I ran day and night. Rain and wind battered me, but I couldn't stop. Each step felt like defying my body's will to give up.

Days passed, and my body began to weaken. I could no longer feel the cold, only the exhaustion that wrapped itself around me. Eventually, my legs gave out. I collapsed to the ground, too tired to move. "Is this the end?" I thought, before my consciousness slowly faded.

In the darkness of my unconsciousness, I dreamed of my mother. She stood before me, smiling as always. "You have to live your life, Felix. Your story is just beginning," she said, her voice full of love and serenity. I wanted to reach out to her, but she slowly vanished. I awoke to the sound of a storm raging around me, snow covering most of my body.

Through the storm, I saw a boy, about my age. He stared at me with an emotionless expression, as if evaluating me. I tried to speak, but my voice was lost in the wind. In my heart, I wondered, "Who is he? Why is he here?"

The boy approached, and without saying a word, he cut his own hand. Blood dripped from the small wound, and he let a few drops fall into my mouth. I was too weak to resist. It felt strange, his blood was warm, and immediately something began to change inside me. The boy then turned and left, carrying a small child in his arms. I could only watch them leave, confused and afraid.

A few minutes later, my body started to react to the blood. An intense heat spread through my body, searing me from the inside. I screamed, feeling every inch of my body burn. The pain was unbearable, like my blood was boiling in my veins. My heart pounded furiously, and I felt like my body might explode at any moment.

But amidst the excruciating pain, memories of my mother resurfaced. Her words echoed in my mind, "You must be strong, Felix." I clung to those words as the only thing keeping me alive. Day after day, the pain surged through me, like an unstoppable wave. But somehow, my body started to adjust. Gradually, I no longer felt the pain. My body began to accept the change, and the agony transformed into a strange strength.

I passed out afterward, sinking into a comforting darkness. But deep down, I knew this wasn't over. My story had only just begun, as my mother had said. I had to find the child in the prophecy. I had to uncover the truth about who I was and why my life had become filled with so much suffering and endless escape.