DATE: 11th, Month of Zephyris, 2012 A.G.
LOCATION: Leonhart Mansion, Capital City of Drakengard
Raphael woke to the weight of a knee pressing into his ribs.
"Haah!" He gasped, pushing Leon's leg off him with a grunt.
Blinking groggily, he turned his head toward the window. Golden shafts of sunlight filtered through the crystal-paned glass, scattering soft patterns across the marble floor and his cheek. It was morning—far too bright for comfort.
He glanced to the other bed. Evangeline, Delphine, and Elise lay curled beneath a blanket, their breathing even and peaceful. A serene contrast to the chaos in his chest.
Then he looked at the wall clock.
His heart dropped.
"Seven o'clock?!"
He slapped his forehead with the heel of his palm, the sound sharp and echoing in the quiet room.
"Leon! Leonatus, wake up! We're late!"
"Mmm... just two more minutes..." Leon mumbled, burying his face deeper into the pillow.
"It's seven in the morning," Raphael snapped.
Leon's eyes opened, and then widened.
"Seven!? We missed our duel!"
A FEW MINUTES LATER
STEP. STEP.
The boys rushed barefoot into the mansion's east garden, breathing hard.
A cluster of adults had already gathered beneath the vine-covered pavilion—Thomas, Sophie, Edward, Alexander, Amelia, and Vincent. Their tones were low, their postures tense.
Something serious was being discussed.
Amelia noticed the boys and gave Sophie's hand a small tap. The conversation stopped abruptly as every pair of eyes turned to the children.
"Grandfather!" they cried in unison, sprinting toward the old man.
Thomas let out a hearty laugh, "Hoho! You two always find a way to make an entrance. How are you"
"I'm fine, Grandfather," Raphael said, trying to catch his breath.
"Grandfather, Duel me!" Leon added, skipping the pleasantries.
Before Thomas could answer, Vincent stepped forward, smiling faintly.
"Ralph, Leon," he said, his voice oddly gentle, "wait just a moment."
He motioned toward a nearby bench. "Sit here."
Leon raised a brow. "Why?"
Raphael frowned. "What's going on?"
"It's a surprise," Vincent said simply, his hands sliding into his pockets. His smile widened. "Now be good boys. Close your eyes."
Something in his tone made them obey.
Vincent stepped forward, placing a single finger on each of their foreheads.
A dark sigil flickered to life on their skin—a black spiral split by a vertical line. One side unfurled into folded wings; the other bloomed with jagged, grinning mouths—some stitched shut, others opening hungrily.
Gasps rippled through the gathered adults.
Then—
WHAM!
THUD!
The boys collapsed to the ground as the sigils pulsed.
"Aaah!" Leon shrieked, clutching his head. Veins bulged across his temples.
Raphael trembled violently, nails digging into his palms. Blood trickled down his wrist as he tried to fight the pain.
"Stop this!" Sophie shouted, stepping forward.
Amelia moved as well, but Edward and Alexander restrained them with firm hands.
Then—silence.
The pain faded.
Leon and Raphael slowly stood, their bodies still trembling, sweat lining their brows. They faced each other.
"Ralph..." Leon's voice broke. Tears welled in his eyes.
Raphael didn't hesitate. He pulled Leon into a tight embrace.
"I'm so sorry, my friend," he whispered hoarsely. "I… I'm the one responsible for our deaths. Forgive me."
Leon buried his face in Raphael's shoulder, his own voice cracking.
"No... It wasn't you. I told you to speed up. It was me…"
They wept silently for a moment, holding each other like drowning men clinging to driftwood.
Then—
CLAP. CLAP.
"Let's just say," Vincent said, "you died because of bad weather."
The two boys pulled apart, blinking in confusion.
Vincent grinned and spread his arms.
"I offer you a choice," he said. "You may keep your memories… or I can erase them for you."
The garden stilled. No one spoke.
Leon frowned. "Why would you erase them?"
He looked at Raphael, who stood silent, thoughtful.
"After so many years, I finally found my brother," Leon said softly. "And now you want me to forget him?"
Vincent nodded. "The burden of memory is heavier than you think."
Raphael's eyes met Amelia's across the garden. She looked away.
He smiled bitterly.
"Erase them," he said, voice calm but hollow.
Leon flinched. "Why?"
Raphael nodded at the family. "I don't want us to be orphans again."
He looked to Edward and Amelia. "Somehow… we've been given a second chance. A home. A family. I won't lose that."
Leon clenched his fists. His lips trembled.
After a long pause, he exhaled.
"I agree with Raphael—no, Raphaeldor."
Raphael smiled faintly.
"And I agree with Leonatus."
Vincent laughed, clapping. "Mamma mia! What a performance."
Raphael blinked. "Are you Italian?"
"No," Vincent replied dryly. "Indian-American."
"What's that?"
"Nothing."
But before he could touch them again—
RUMBLE.
The sky darkened. Thunder crackled. Green lightning snaked across the clouds.
SWISH.
A figure descended—a being of emerald lightning, without face or form, cloaked in astral wind.
"Pathmaker!" the voice echoed like a thousand chimes. "What are you doing?!"
Leon leaned close to Raphael. "Isn't he the one who sent us here?"
"Yes," Vincent muttered, without looking.
The Djinn floated before Vincent.
"By the Law of the Holy Scale," it said sternly, "you cannot erase their memories."
Vincent's expression twisted. His aura snapped like a whip.
"You goddamn Djinns!" he snarled. "You sent me broken souls with no useful memories! What prophecy are they supposed to fulfill?"
The Djinn flinched, clearly rattled.
"I followed the orders of the True God," it replied.
"Then your god's a fool," Vincent hissed.
"You dare insult the True God!" the Djinn roared.
"And what if I do!" Vincent stepped towards him.
The Djinn hesitated. Then its eyes—if it had any—lit with mischief.
"What if you give them… a boon? A title, talent, artifact, or realm access… in exchange for the memories?"
Vincent narrowed his eyes. "You're bargaining now?"
The Djinn shrugged its flickering shoulders.
Vincent snorted.
"No. I'm not erasing them."
But then—
GRAB.
Leon caught his wrist. "Please… do it."
Vincent stared at him for a long moment. Then sighed.
"Fine."
Cards shimmered into the air, whirling like golden leaves. They lined up before the boys.
"Tap one," Vincent said.
They nodded.
TAP. TAP.
Two cards flashed white.
⚜️ ARTIFACT OBTAINED ⚜️
[Mad God's Journal]
Type: Cursed Artifact — Bound to Soul
Rank: B
Appearance: A palm-sized, leather-bound journal with silver clasps and a stitched symbol of an unblinking eye. The pages never run out.
Effect:
Automatically replaces itself with a new journal once filled.
Best Suited For:
Philosophers, tricksters, rogue historians, and those who cannot forget.
⚜️ ARTIFACT OBTAINED ⚜️
[Mad God's Spectacles]
Type: Divine Utility Item
Rank: A
Appearance: Thin-rimmed spectacles with silver etchings that shimmer in darkness. Unbreakable by mortal means.
Effect:
Shields the wearer's eyes from all harmful light sources (sun, spellflash, cursed fires).Allows limited True Sight during moments of emotional clarity.Glows faintly when near deception.
Best Suited For:
Scholars, cursed archivists, or those who seek truth but cannot bear it.
Leon blinked at the notebook in his hands. "It's... warm."
Raphael adjusted the glasses on his nose. "They feel... right."
Vincent smiled as the wind died down.
"Memories gone," he whispered. "A gift for a better life."
And the garden was quiet once more.