ALL NOVEL #1
#1
Chapter 1. The Night Revealed
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In the beginning, there was the World Tree.
It spread its large branches, embracing all living beings on the continent.
Under the shade of the World Tree, everything helped and loved one another, sharing the marks of fate. This was before humans knew they were human, before elves were called elves.
The continent was peaceful, and nothing had ever shed tears of sorrow.
Everyone enjoyed the peace bestowed by the World Tree.
That was until humans learned to lie.
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The World Tree, which had cast its shadow over the continent for thousands of years, was burning.
Kain Starchis stood in silence, gazing at the distant great flame. Now, the token that had led Kain here was disappearing.
“…….”
The black ash created by the burning tree brushed against Kain Starchis’s long hair.
With the World Tree, the fate it had connected would also burn away. Then… what about Jersian and me? Kain swallowed the words he wanted to say. The silhouette of the tall elf stood firm, as if holding a funeral for the burning World Tree.
What was unfolding before him was something that should never have happened.
“Did you know?”
“…….”
Jersian, standing next to Kain, wore a face that seemed unsure of what to say. He too was frowning, as if trying to grasp what was happening.
Silence settled for a while.
“Jersian.”
The empty gaze turned toward the silent Jersian.
“I asked if you knew it would come to this.”
Kain Starchis’s unfocused eyes twisted, eventually contorting into a painful expression. He knew. It was useless to question after the event had occurred. Moreover, he could not entirely blame Jersian for the attack on the World Tree. However, there was undoubtedly a responsibility on Jersian’s part for the burning of the Galia Tree.
“…….”
The boy had grown to match Kain’s height. Meeting Kain’s gaze with his red eyes, Kain reached a conclusion from the silence that had persisted until now. The truth they faced was so absurd that it momentarily stiffened his spine.
“You knew.”
“……It could have been worse.”
Jersian replied, furrowing his brows.
“I heard reports that soldiers were advancing toward this place. But changing their destination to block them was just acting according to the royal family’s wishes. The risks we had to bear were too—”
“At least you could have told me.”
A sharp voice cut through. Immediately, Jersian’s red eyes followed. Kain remained fixated on the burning World Tree.
“If you had told me, I would have protected the Galia Tree by myself.”
“…….”
By yourself, on that battlefield?
At Kain’s calm voice, Jersian’s face gradually crumpled. Anger boiled within him, his breath becoming ragged, and his lips trembled.
“Did you think I would know that? If you had come here alone, it would have been nothing short of suicide!”
“And so.”
Kain’s cold remark interrupted Jersian’s words.
“So you lied to me?”
That was the one thing he could never accept. Jersian Del Claude had to show Kain only his true self as his destined partner.
“…….”
At the word ‘lie,’ Jersian’s gaze faltered, trembling.
“For me?”
No, Kain Starchis slowly shook his head, asserting. He then tore his gaze from the World Tree and met Jersian’s eyes. The man who had once been his destined partner looked at Kain with a pleading gaze, as if trying to change his cold heart.
“No. It wasn’t for me. In the end, your name, ‘Jersian Del Claude,’ was more precious to you than being my destined partner.”
“Kain—”
“Don’t touch me.”
With a sharp motion, Kain swatted away Jersian’s hand that had reached for his cheek. Startled by the rejection, Jersian’s red eyes widened slightly. Kain had never treated him this way before. He had always respected and protected Jersian’s opinions, standing right beside him.
This was the first time he had been rejected.
Kain delivered a cold ultimatum to the flustered Jersian.
“This is the end, Jersian. I have no reason to stay by your side any longer.”
“……What?”
Kain Starchis’s long, soft hair swayed at Jersian Del Claude’s cold voice.
“You’re leaving me?”
Beneath the large frame, straight jaw, and sharp gaze, the red eyes stared at Kain Starchis, who had just declared their separation. He had finally surpassed Kain’s height, which he had longed to catch up to since childhood.
“Is that true?”
“…….”
Kain did not retract his words. Jersian, with a shocked expression, mumbled and bit his lip.
“……I was wrong to lie… but please don’t say you’re leaving me over something like this…”
The lashes lowered, trembling slightly. At the same time, feeling a surge of pity, Kain Starchis wanted to caress Jersian’s cheek to comfort him, but he soon retracted that thought. Now, Jersian and Kain were no longer beings who could freely touch one another.
“…….”
As Jersian furrowed his brows, confirming his fingers had returned to their original position after trying to reach out, Kain spoke.
“That can’t happen.”
“Kain!”
“The World Tree that bound us as partners has burned away. The link of fate between you and me has been severed, so we are no longer anything to each other. If you need more time to adjust, I can wait.”
Kain stated again, his gaze calm.
He would stay for a few years if Jersian wanted him to. Just as he had waited until Jersian could believe in their destined partnership. Time was abundant for Kain. He could wait that long.
“……We are no longer anything to each other.”
But upon hearing those words, flames ignited in Jersian’s eyes.
“You’re saying we are no longer anything to each other?”
A short, bitter laugh escaped Jersian’s lips. It was a fierce expression he had never shown in front of Kain before. Kain, standing right beside him, continued to speak to calm Jersian.
“……It seems you’re in shock. After all, Jersian, it took you a long time to accept that we are destined partners.”
But Kain’s words were insufficient to soothe Jersian.
“We are no longer anything to each other? How can you say that the moment we lose our marks? Are you in your right mind?”
The more he mulled over the words of his lover, the more he couldn’t contain the tumultuous emotions within him. Jersian’s red eyes flickered as if they would swallow Kain Starchis whole.
“Because that one tree burned? We didn’t love each other just because of the marks on our bodies. I love you, and of course, Kain Starchis, you too…”
Jersian paused, letting out a short, exasperated laugh before continuing. His tone was filled with anger, as if he were chewing each syllable.
“Then have you only believed in a few letters all this time? Huh?”
“…….”
Kain Starchis across from him stubbornly kept his mouth shut. He could understand Jersian’s words, but their understanding of the essence of being destined partners was fundamentally different. While Jersian dismissed it as ‘just,’ to Kain, the marks were everything, and it was thanks to them that he had endured until now. Moreover, he had even told a lie that should never have been uttered between them. Kain could not accept that fact.
“Answer me! If it’s not the marks, does that mean I mean nothing to you?”
Jersian pressed Kain with urgency. He was afraid Kain would suddenly vanish.
The grip of Jersian’s large hand, which was holding Kain’s shoulder, tightened. But Kain Starchis, trapped in that hand, seemed unwilling to answer the question. Yes, he clearly believed it wasn’t even worth answering.
“Is it that without the marks, I hold no meaning for you?”
Really? He lowered his head and completely embraced Kain Starchis.
The familiar scent of Kain, filled with the fragrance of grass, brushed against Jersian’s nose. Even though they were so close, in his arms, Kain felt as if he were always looking in another direction.
But the now-grown boy had no intention of letting go of his elf, who had come into his hands. The childish face and body were nowhere to be found; he had become a proper man, wrapping Kain in his arms. Leaving? That was absolutely unacceptable. No matter how Kain thought now, Jersian could not let him go.