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Chapter 3: Journey to the Empire
A gentle breeze blew softly as Altair and Feran began their journey toward the Rasyidia Empire. A trip that should've felt long was instead filled with nostalgia. They sat atop a luxurious horse-drawn carriage owned by Feran as a commander.
"I still can't believe I met you again, brother," Feran said with a wide smile, eyes locked on Altair. "I thought you were dead after that massacre."
Altair stared at him sharply, then let out a deep sigh. "I also thought our entire family was gone. But Grandpa always told me to survive... until I finally reached the surface."
Feran nodded, then began recounting his life since they were separated. When Altair was six and Feran four, they were torn apart by the brutal slaughter that nearly wiped out the Elementan Race. Feran had been taken to the Rasyidia Empire by their wounded uncle.
There, their uncle, despite his serious injuries, tried to raise him the best he could until he passed away when Feran was twelve. "He never complained about the pain, bro. He always smiled and said he was proud to protect us. But I knew... he was hurting every single day."
Altair fell silent, his hands clenched tightly. Their uncle was one of the last who stood for their family, yet even he couldn't escape fate.
Feran continued. "That day, I made a promise, bro. I would become the strongest. The best. So no one would ever be able to slaughter our family again. I entered the royal academy and swore I'd surpass everything."
And he did. Feran grew into the best in the academy, always defeating his opponents in duels, creating brilliant strategies, and eventually being appointed the youngest war commander in the Empire. Since then, he had constantly been sent to battlefields, handled treaties, and served as the Empire's envoy in countless missions.
"But even after everything... I still felt weak," Feran said, his gaze distant. "Because I couldn't find our family. Until I met you again, bro."
Altair gave a faint smile. He then began to share his own story. From escaping into the underworld with their grandfather, surviving in a deadly realm, to the day their grandfather died and his awakening triggered the Steel Debris power within him.
Feran listened intently, his eyes trembling slightly when Altair mentioned their grandfather had passed. But he remained silent until the end.
"Now I'm here, Fer. And we're going to find the rest of our family."
They looked at each other and nodded firmly.
After several days of travel, they finally arrived at the Rasyidia Empire. A magnificent city with tall walls and buildings layered in gold and iron welcomed them. The royal banners fluttered atop the main fortress, displaying the Empire's glory.
Roniver, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke. "I was once the third son of the Emperor here. Until I was chosen to become the Aethria successor by the previous king."
Altair was surprised. "So you were a noble here?"
"Not just a noble. I was a prince."
Altair fell deep into thought after the conversation with Roniver, but said nothing. His focus now was meeting the Emperor.
Upon entering the palace, they headed straight for the throne room. Feran walked ahead with respectful composure. Once inside, he immediately knelt before a man dressed in royal robes with a golden crown atop his head.
"Your Majesty Emperor Xarian, I have returned with news."
Altair, still standing casually beside him, frowned. He looked at the man on the throne and, without hesitation, asked loudly:
"Feran, who is this old man?"
The room fell into sudden silence. The guards and nobles widened their eyes. Some had already drawn their swords. The Emperor himself looked furious.
"Insolent! How dare you not kneel before me?!" the Emperor roared, his overwhelming aura filling the chamber.
Soldiers immediately approached, ready to behead Altair. But before they could move, Feran raised his hand.
"Forgive him, Your Majesty. He is unfamiliar with the customs of the surface. He is my older brother, Altair Valerian."
Emperor Xarian paused. His eyes bore into Altair, and his expression slowly shifted—from anger to astonishment.
"He's... your brother?"
Feran nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. He just returned from the underworld after surviving all this time. Our family still lives."
The Emperor stared at Altair deeply, then slowly smiled. He stepped down from his throne and approached him.
"Then... welcome back, heir of Valerian."
Altair stared at the man with sharp eyes. He didn't yet know if he could trust this Emperor. But one thing he knew for certain—his journey had just entered a new chapter.