The Next Day…
Sunlight slipped gently through the curtains, brushing across Leo's face.
His eyes opened.
For a moment, he simply lay there—staring at the ceiling.
Quiet.
Still.
Then he exhaled.
"…My head's… clear."
No confusion.
No overwhelming anger.
Just… clarity.
Leo sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair.
Last night felt like a storm.
But now—
The storm had passed.
*****
He got out of bed.
Quickly.
Almost energetically.
Like something inside him had changed.
He headed straight to the bath, letting the cold water run over him. It washed away the remaining heaviness clinging to his body.
Afterward, he cleaned his room—something he rarely did himself.
Every movement felt… deliberate.
Grounded.
He brushed his teeth, got dressed, and stepped outside.
*****
"Good morning."
He greeted a maid.
She blinked in surprise… then bowed.
"G-Good morning, Young—"
She paused.
Leo smiled slightly.
"…Just Leo is fine."
The maid looked confused, but nodded.
As he walked through the castle halls, people greeted him—some hesitant, some awkward.
Word had spread.
Fast.
Too fast.
He could feel it in the air.
The whispers.
The looks.
"…So it's true…"
"…He's not really…"
Leo ignored them.
*****
From the upper floor, he leaned against the railing and looked down.
In the main hall—
The King and Queen stood together, surrounded by nobles and officials.
Speaking.
Explaining.
Calming the unrest.
Cleaning up the mess he caused.
Leo watched silently.
"…Sorry."
A quiet whisper.
Then he turned away.
*****
A few minutes later—
Leo opened his bedroom window.
A gust of fresh air greeted him.
He climbed out.
Then—
THUD.
He landed softly in the garden below.
*****
"The Garden of Azen…"
Leo looked around.
Flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, swaying gently in the morning breeze. The scent was calming.
"…You're still as beautiful as the day I arrived."
For a moment, he just stood there.
Then he walked.
Through the garden.
Through the memories.
And straight toward the gates.
*****
The knights stationed there glanced at him.
But this time—
They didn't stop him.
No questions.
No hesitation.
Just silent understanding.
Leo gave a small nod.
"…Thanks."
And stepped outside.
*****
The city of Lucindor welcomed him with noise and life.
Vendors shouting.
Children running.
Elves chatting gracefully.
Dwarves arguing loudly.
Gnomes tinkering with strange devices.
It felt… normal.
For the first time since last night—
Leo smiled.
*****
After some time, he stopped in front of a familiar house.
Ken's house.
But before knocking—
He paused.
"…Ember Falls…"
His father's words echoed in his mind.
"You were found there…"
Leo looked down.
"…Maybe I should see it."
"…Where I really began."
He knocked.
*****
The door swung open.
"Leo?!"
Ken stared at him, eyes wide.
"What the hell happened to you, man?!"
Leo scratched the back of his head.
"…My life's been a mess lately."
Ken blinked.
Then stepped aside.
"Get in. Now."
*****
Inside—
Ken crossed his arms.
"Alright. Start talking."
Leo hesitated.
Then sighed.
"…Promise me you won't tell anyone."
Ken raised an eyebrow.
"Bro, we've known each other for ten years. Just say it."
Leo looked him straight in the eye.
"…I'm a Lightlock."
Silence.
Then—
Ken burst out laughing.
"HAHA—okay, good one."
"I'm serious."
Ken stopped.
"…Wait. You're serious?"
Leo nodded.
Ken stared at him for a long moment.
Then—
WHACK!
He punched Leo's arm.
"AAGH! What the hell?!" Leo winced.
"…You felt that?" Ken asked.
"Of course I did, idiot!"
Ken stepped back, stunned.
"…You're not joking."
Leo shook his head.
"…I'm not."
Ken ran a hand through his hair.
"…That explains it."
"What?"
"During the tournament… the way you fought."
Ken's eyes lit up.
"Dude—you were insane! You were about to beat Shinzu!"
Leo sighed.
"Yeah… and then everything went to hell."
Ken grinned.
"Still… being a Lightlock is way cooler than being champion."
"Can you stop hitting me?" Leo groaned.
"Sorry—this is just crazy!"
*****
After a moment, Leo got serious.
"…Do you know where Ember Falls is?"
Ken nodded slowly.
"…Yeah. It's deep inside the Forest of Fawl."
Leo's expression sharpened.
"…Take me there."
Ken blinked.
"Bro, that's not a casual trip. That forest is dangerous."
"I need to go," Leo said firmly.
A pause.
Then—
Ken sighed.
"…Fine."
A grin spread across his face.
"I'm coming with you."
Leo smirked.
"Good."
*****
Ken grabbed a sword and handed it to Leo.
"Take this."
Leo looked at it.
"…I don't need—"
"Take it," Ken interrupted. "This isn't the castle. That forest isn't safe."
Then he handed him a dark green cloak.
"And this."
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"…For style?"
"For not getting spotted, dumbass."
Ken tossed him a map.
"You'll need that too."
Leo smiled.
"…Thanks, man."
They bumped fists.
*****
Minutes later—
They stepped outside together.
"So lead the way, Sir Kenneth Haybeast," Leo said with a grin.
Ken smirked.
"Funny. You're not even a prince anymore."
They both laughed.
The streets of Lucindor buzzed with life as Leo and Ken made their way toward the city gates.
Vendors shouted over each other, trying to sell fresh bread, fruits, and trinkets. The scent of roasted meat drifted through the air, mixing with the warmth of the morning sun.
Leo walked beside Ken, his hood lowered for now, taking everything in.
"…Feels different today," Leo muttered.
Ken glanced at him.
"Different how?"
Leo shrugged slightly.
"I've lived here my whole life… but it feels like I'm seeing it for the first time."
Ken smirked.
"Yeah? That's what happens when you find out you're not even human."
Leo shot him a look.
"…You're enjoying this way too much."
"I mean, come on," Ken chuckled. "My best friend just told me he's some kind of divine being. What do you expect? I stay calm?"
Leo sighed, but a small smile crept onto his face.
"…Still feels weird saying it out loud."
They passed a group of children running through the streets, laughing as they chased each other. One of them bumped into Leo slightly before running off.
Leo turned his head, watching them.
"…I used to do that too."
Ken raised an eyebrow.
"You still act like that sometimes."
"Shut up."
Ken laughed.
*****
They continued walking.
A pair of elves stood nearby, whispering to each other. As Leo passed, their voices lowered—but not enough.
"…That's him…"
"…The prince…"
"…They said he's not even—"
Leo's steps slowed for a moment.
Ken noticed.
"…Ignore them," Ken said quietly.
Leo looked forward again.
"…I am."
But his tone said otherwise.
*****
They turned into a narrower street, less crowded now.
Ken kicked a small stone as they walked.
"…So, what are you gonna do?"
Leo frowned slightly.
"About what?"
"About everything," Ken said. "Your identity. The Lightlock thing. Your father. All of it."
Leo didn't answer immediately.
His eyes stayed ahead.
"…I don't know."
A pause.
"…But I know I can't stay the same."
Ken nodded slowly.
"Yeah… figured."
*****
A few seconds passed in silence.
Then Ken spoke again.
"…You know, when we first met…"
Leo glanced at him.
"You were annoying as hell."
Leo scoffed.
"I was annoying?"
"Yeah," Ken grinned. "Some noble kid who didn't know how to throw a proper punch."
Leo smirked.
"And now?"
Ken looked at him.
"…Now you're still annoying."
Leo laughed.
"Idiot."
*****
They walked past a blacksmith's shop. The sound of metal clashing echoed loudly.
Ken crossed his arms.
"…But seriously."
Leo glanced at him again.
"You've changed."
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"That fast?"
Ken nodded.
"Yeah."
A short pause.
"…You're quieter."
Leo looked ahead.
"…Last night changed a lot."
Ken didn't push further.
*****
As they got closer to the gates, the crowd thinned.
The atmosphere shifted.
More guards.
More tension.
Ken lowered his voice.
"…Hey."
Leo looked at him.
"If things go bad…"
Leo frowned.
"They won't."
Ken shook his head.
"Just listen."
Leo stayed silent.
Ken continued:
"…If something happens, don't hesitate."
Leo's expression hardened slightly.
"…You mean run?"
Ken smirked.
"I mean survive."
*****
They stopped briefly at a corner where the gates were now visible in the distance.
Guards stood in formation.
Checking people carefully.
Ken exhaled.
"…Yeah. This is gonna be a problem."
Leo followed his gaze.
"…You think they're looking for me?"
Ken gave him a look.
"Who else?"
Leo sighed.
"…Right."
*****
Ken pulled up his hood.
"Alright."
Leo did the same.
Ken looked at him one last time.
"…You ready?"
Leo nodded.
"…Yeah."
But then—
Ken smirked.
"By the way…"
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"If we die, I'm blaming you."
Leo chuckled.
"If we die, you won't get the chance."
Ken grinned.
"Fair enough."
*****
Ken crouched slightly.
"On my signal."
Leo took a deep breath.
The air felt heavier now.
Everything slowed.
"Three…"
Leo focused.
"Two…"
His grip tightened.
"One—"
Ken grinned.
"GO!"
*****
They sprinted.
Fast.
Straight toward the gate.
"HEY! STOP!"
Guards reacted instantly.
Leo dodged one.
Ken slipped past another.
"Keep going!" Ken shouted.
They were close—
So close—
Then—
BAM!
Ken was tackled to the ground.
"GO!" he shouted.
Leo turned—
"Don't look back, dumbass!"
Guards rushed toward Leo.
He clenched his teeth.
"…Damn it!"
And ran.
*****
Minutes later—
Leo slowed down.
Breathing hard.
He turned back.
No one.
Ken was gone.
"…Idiot…"
A weak smile formed.
"…Thanks."
He looked down at the map.
"…Guess I'm doing this alone."
He gripped the sword tightly.
"…Your sacrifice better be worth it."
A small laugh escaped him.
"…This is so stupid."
A pause.
"…Yeah. Really stupid."
Then—
He looked ahead.
Toward the distant forest.
"…Too late to turn back now."
*****
Leo adjusted his cloak.
Took a step forward.
Then another.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"…First adventure."
He laughed.
And walked on.