"But… how do you know I'm Aiden Ferith? How do you know about my past?" Logan asked, narrowing his eyes.

Audrey hovered in the air calmly. "Because I was bonded to the Soul Resurrection Rune, the one that brought you back to life. That's how I know it's you. And I know about your past… because I was there, when you died. Don't you remember? 'A soul unyielding shall not die?'"

Logan's mind went blank.

"You're saying… you were the one who brought me back? Magic can really do that?"

Audrey shook her head gently. "No. It wasn't just magic. That rune was one of a kind, like a heavenly treasure. A blessing passed down by the ancestors."

Logan was still baffled. "And you used something that rare… on me? Why?"

"Because I was ordered to," Audrey replied. "By our queen. She said you're the one. Fate's chosen. I honestly don't even know what that fully means. You'll have to ask her when you arrive on our planet."

"Wait, what? I even have to go to your planet as well? Seriously?" Logan groaned.

"Eventually, yes," Audrey said matter-of-factly.

Logan's head was spinning. The sheer amount of information was overwhelming.

"Nothing feels real anymore," he whispered under his breath.

"That's why I asked you, remember? Are you ready?" Audrey said softly.

Logan sighed and muttered, "Yeah… I know. Maybe I shouldn't have asked in the first place."

He let himself fall backward onto the bed, covering his face with a hand as his mind ran wild, trying to process everything.

Audrey floated silently nearby, giving him the space he needed. It was as if she understood that he needed time to absorb the truth.

After a while, she spoke again.

"You need to grow stronger... strong enough to protect everyone here and make sure they stays safe before you even think about fixing the problems beyond this planet."

Logan nodded slowly. "I know. I need to get stronger… to save Earth. But why do I need to go beyond this world?"

Audrey's gaze sharpened.

"Why?" she echoed. "Do you really want to let the ones go, the race that turned countless members of your people into sacrifices? That twisted your kin into monsters and made you slaughter them with your own hands? Do you truly want to let them walk free… so they can do the same to others?"

Her words sliced through the air like a blade, each sentence striking deep into Logan's heart.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll go. Don't worry," Logan said with a sigh. "I just hope your queen doesn't end up regretting using such a valuable rune on someone like me."

Audrey smiled faintly which wasn't visible though. "She won't. She never makes the wrong decision."

Logan didn't say anything after that.

His mind was spinning with thoughts, so many, so heavy, that sleep eventually crept into his eyes.

And soon, he drifted into a deep slumber.

_______

But it didn't last long.

Knock! Knock!

A sharp knock on the door snapped him awake.

It was still evening, not even close to bedtime. Logan had only fallen asleep due to the exhaustion weighing down both his body and mind.

So when the sound woke him, he didn't feel groggy or irritated.

"Coming," he mumbled, getting up and walking to the door.

When he opened it, he was surprised to find Alice standing there.

"Mother? Is something wrong? It's not dinner time already, is it?"

Alice chuckled. "No, not yet. But I came because... some people are desperately waiting to see you."

She didn't say anything else. Instead she stepped aside with a smile....

and just then....

a strong pair of arms wrapped around Logan in a tight embrace.

Logan's eyes widened.

When the hug finally loosened, he looked up and saw who it was.

"Rowan?!"

Logan was totally taken aback. "Is it really you? I didn't even recognize you!" Logan exclaimed, delighted.

Rowan grinned. "Look who's talking. Honestly, if I saw you somewhere else and not in this house, I wouldn't have believed it was you. You were just a kid back then…"

He gave Logan a teasing look. "And now? You're still a kid. But one look at you, and no one would believe it."

He laughed heartily.

And before Logan could reply, another figure stepped forward from behind Rowan.

Golden hair. Familiar blue eyes.

Daliah.

Logan recognized her instantly.

"Whoa… Daliah. You've grown so much," he said, surprised.

Like Logan, she had also grown so much.

But Daliah simply pouted, arms crossed.

"So you're back. You really made sure to keep us all worried and on edge, didn't you?" she said, half-complaining, half-relieved.

Logan scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah… I kinda did. But it wasn't a part of the plan. So many things happened, one after another. Even my parents were worried sick. You can ask them if you don't believe me."

Though he hadn't spent a huge amount of time with Rowan and Daliah in the past, those brief moments had been some of the best in his life.

After Nolan's betrayal in his past life, it was hard for him to trust anyone.

But this pair of siblings didn't let him stay like that.

In his past life, most of Logan's days had been spent on battlefields. And in this life, things at home weren't exactly peaceful either, his relationship with his half-brother, the constant tension, the continuous conspiracies going on… it was all a mess.

But when Logan met both Rowan and Daliah, he felt something lift off his chest, a strange relief, a rare peace. For the first time in what felt like forever, it didn't seem like life was all that terrible.

Their playful banter…

Rowan's strong, selfless presence, as both comrade and friend…

And Daliah's bright, lively energy… a presence Logan still wasn't sure how to define…

It brought him a kind of joy that words simply couldn't capture.

"I don't need to ask anyone anything," Daliah huffed. "You even made your parents worry! You better make sure this is the last time. Otherwise I'll punch some sense into your head myself!"

She raised her fist and made a mock threatening pose, glaring at him with exaggerated anger.

Alice could barely hold back her laughter.

But deep inside, her heart felt warm.

Just seeing the way they talked and joked with each other… it told her everything. These two weren't just acquaintances. They cherished Logan. They genuinely enjoyed being around him.

And for a mother, that was more than enough.

Alice then smiled and said, "Let's go to the hall, Logan. You can relax and catch up with everyone over some snacks. And besides… a few more guests are waiting to meet you."

Logan raised a brow. "More guests? Who?"

This time, Rowan answered with a grin.

"Well, there's Mr. William, you still remember him, right? The head judge from the tournament back then. A few mages came along with him too. And some other important folks showed up as well."

Logan gave a small nod. "Alright then. Let's go."

With that, the group began walking toward the hall. It didn't take long to reach the hall room.

But just before they could enter, a guard hurried in from outside and bowed toward Alice.

"Mrs. Smith, some more guests have arrived. A girl named Lilith says she was invited by Mr. Starwind."

Logan froze mid-step. "She's here too?" he thought. "Well, it's not that surprising… both her parents are here. I just hope Mr. Starwind didn't call her for a duel already."

Alice responded without hesitation. "Bring them in. She's Mr. Starwind's daughter."

The guard nodded but hesitated for a moment. "Mrs. Smith, she's not alone. She has a few others with her, around six or seven people. Should I let them in as well?"

"Of course. Don't keep them waiting. Invite them in immediately." Alice instructed.

Logan had already informed her that some guests would arrive within the next day or so for discussions, so she didn't give it much more thought.

The guard left to fetch Lilith and her party, while Alice, Logan, Rowan, and Daliah entered in the hall.

As soon as they stepped in, Logan noticed many people were already seated.

The Guildmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Starwind. The two elite hunters from foreign kingdoms.

Mr. William with two other people. Two mages from the Mage's Court who had come to aid him in the mission against the third eye sect. His father. And several family elders.

Everyone turned as Logan entered others. He bowed slightly, showing respectful acknowledgment.

"Good to see you, Prince," many wished when they saw Rowan and Daliah stepping in beside Logan and Alice. Others offered warm greetings as well. Then, their eyes fell on Logan.

"Logan… I can't believe I'm seeing you again. You really gave me a hard time back then," said John William, rising slightly from his seat.

Logan offered a sincere nod. "I'm really sorry about that, Mr. William."

He then took a seat, along with Daliah and Rowan. Alice also settled into her chair.

Just as Logan was about to speak again, the doors to the hall swung open.

Several figures entered.

Leading them was none other but Lilith Starwind.

The moment she entered, her eyes fell on Daliah first.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.