LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 5: Unease
The knock on the door was soft but insistent. Kale stiffened, his senses alert as Stacy, still clutching his arm, shrank closer to him. He moved cautiously toward the door, pulling it open to reveal a young palace attendant dressed in elegant robes, his head bowed respectfully.
"My lord, my lady," the attendant began, his voice calm yet deferential. "I've come to see if you require anything for the night and to inform you that His Majesty will meet with you in the morning."
Kale relaxed slightly, though his guard didn't drop entirely. He glanced back at Stacy, whose wide eyes reflected her unease, then turned to the attendant. "We don't need anything, but—" He paused, a faint smile forming as an idea crossed his mind. "Actually, could you bring some ramen for my daughter?"
The attendant blinked, his polite demeanor giving way to confusion. "Ramen, my lord?"
Kale's face faltered for a moment before he realized his mistake. Of course, they wouldn't know what ramen is. His laugh came out awkward and forced as he waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. Just bring some water instead."
The attendant's brow furrowed briefly, but he bowed again. "At once, my lord."
As the door closed and Kale returned to Stacy, he muttered under his breath, "Ramen, Kale? Really?" He shook his head at his slip-up, but the thought brought a small grin to his face. Despite the absurdity of the situation, he found a shred of comfort in the normalcy of the request.
The water arrived shortly after, and Kale gratefully accepted it, making a mental note to tread more carefully in this unfamiliar world.
---
As the night deepened, Stacy grew quieter. She curled up against Kale's chest, her small form trembling slightly even in sleep. Kale held her close, stroking her hair gently, his own thoughts a whirlwind.
One question refused to leave his mind: How did Joel and Lillian die?
He could recall fragments of Joel's life—battles fought, alliances forged, the weight of his responsibilities—but the circumstances of his death were conspicuously absent. It was like a gaping void in his mind, one he couldn't fill no matter how hard he tried.
The unknown gnawed at him, a persistent itch he couldn't scratch. But as Stacy's breathing slowed and evened out, he forced himself to push the thoughts aside. Right now, she needed him.
---
Kale awoke with a start, his head pounding as though a hammer was striking his skull repeatedly. He groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead as he swung his legs off the bed. The faint sunlight filtering through the ornate curtains stung his eyes, and every movement sent a jolt of pain through his temples.
"Stay here, kiddo," he murmured to Stacy, who stirred slightly but remained curled under the covers.
He made his way to the adjoining bathroom, a luxurious space with marble floors, a porcelain tub, and gilded fixtures. A mirror hung on the wall, its frame intricately carved with patterns of dragons and phoenixes. Kale caught sight of his reflection and froze.
The face staring back at him was both familiar and alien. It wasn't his own, yet it felt like it belonged to him. His features were sharper, his jawline more defined, and his eyes—Joel's eyes—held a piercing intensity that made him flinch. His body was lean yet muscular, every inch marked with scars that told stories of battles he couldn't remember.
The silk night kimono he wore hung loosely on his frame, exposing his chest and the faintly glowing mark etched near his heart—a mark he instinctively knew was significant.
As he stared, a sudden surge of memories hit him like a tidal wave.
---
It started as a dull ache but quickly grew into an excruciating pain that made him grip the sink for support. Flashes of Joel's life flooded his mind—training in the art of war, standing on blood-soaked battlefields, the sound of his wife's laughter, the quiet moments he'd shared with Lillian.
The pain was unbearable, and blood began to trickle from his nose. Kale's vision blurred as the memories slowed, settling into his mind like a puzzle piecing itself together.
Then, amidst the chaos, a glowing screen appeared before him.
[System Template Activated]
Name: Jo El
Rank: Grand General
Special Ability: Time Quadrant Manipulation
Skill Points Available: 120
The words seemed foreign yet understandable, and Kale barely had time to process them before a piercing scream jolted him back to reality.
---
"Stacy!" Kale shouted, stumbling back into the bedroom.
She was on the floor, clutching her head as tears streamed down her face. Her small body trembled violently, and her cries were filled with a pain Kale couldn't fathom.
"Dad, it hurts!" she sobbed, her voice barely audible over her screams.
Kale dropped to his knees beside her, wrapping his arms around her trembling form. "I'm here, sweetheart. I'm here," he whispered, his own tears spilling as he held her tightly.
The system template appeared again, glowing faintly in his mind.
Would you like to share her pain?
Without hesitation, Kale thought, Yes.
A searing agony ripped through him, stealing his breath as his body convulsed. It was a pain far greater than anything he'd ever known, a darkness so profound it threatened to consume him. But he didn't let go.
He cradled Stacy in his arms, pressing his forehead against hers. "It's okay, Stacy. I'm with you. You're not alone," he murmured, his voice shaking.
The pain began to subside, though its echoes lingered in his chest. Stacy's sobs quieted, her small hands clutching his shirt as her breathing evened out.
"Dad…" she whispered, her voice hoarse.
"I'm here," Kale repeated, brushing her hair back from her tear-streaked face. "It's over now. You're safe."
---
The sound of the door opening drew Kale's attention. He looked up to see a palace advisor standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"The emperor will see you now," the advisor said, his tone formal.
Kale's jaw tightened, his body still trembling from the ordeal. He glanced down at Stacy, who clung to him like a lifeline.
"We'll be ready," he said, his voice firm despite the exhaustion weighing him down.
As the advisor left, Kale helped Stacy to her feet, wiping the tears from her face. They had little time to prepare, but Kale knew one thing for certain: no matter what awaited them, he would protect Stacy at all costs.
The sun had risen fully by the time the soft rumble of footsteps echoed through the corridor. Kale had just finished helping Stacy—no, Lillian—dress in a simple yet elegant silk gown that had been brought to their room. He was still adjusting to the strange textures and designs of the clothing, but Lillian looked radiant, even if her face was pale and her eyes betrayed her unease.
The knock on the door came moments later, firm and authoritative. When Kale opened it, his breath caught at the sight before him. Standing tall and imposing was Emperor Jin Hwang, his regal appearance only outdone by the massive creature behind him.
The dragon was magnificent, its scales shimmering with hues of gold and emerald as it crouched beside the emperor like an obedient beast. Its glowing amber eyes surveyed Kale and Stacy with an intelligence that made Kale's skin crawl.
"Joel," the emperor said firmly, his voice deep and commanding, "it has been too long."
Kale stiffened at the name. He quickly schooled his expression into what he hoped was a confident smile. "Your Majesty," he replied, bowing slightly. His heart raced as he tried to mimic Joel's mannerisms from the brief time he'd spent playing the game.
The emperor's sharp eyes studied him for a moment before shifting to Stacy. "And Lillian."
Kale tensed as the emperor crouched slightly, brushing a strand of hair from Stacy's face. She flinched but didn't pull away, her small hands gripping Kale's sleeve tightly.
"Are you well, child?" Jin asked gently.
Kale's stomach twisted as he waited for her response, his mind racing with the possible outcomes if she said the wrong thing. Stacy's lips trembled, but she gave a small nod.
"I'm okay, Your Majesty," she said softly.
The emperor smiled faintly, straightening to his full height. "You both seem shaken. It's to be expected after… everything. A walk will help clear your minds." He gestured toward the dragon. "Come."
Kale swallowed hard and nodded. He placed a hand on Stacy's shoulder, guiding her forward. The dragon's massive head lowered as they approached, its golden eyes locking onto him. Kale forced himself to remain calm, though every instinct screamed at him to turn and run.
---
The dragon's back was surprisingly smooth and warm beneath them as they settled into the saddle-like seats mounted on it. Kale held Stacy close as the beast took to the air, its wings beating powerfully against the wind. The city below spread out like a painting, its intricate architecture and vibrant colors almost distracting Kale from the anxiety clawing at his chest.
When they landed in a private garden surrounded by towering cherry blossom trees, Kale felt his muscles unclench slightly. The emperor dismounted gracefully, motioning for Kale and Stacy to follow.
"Walk with me, Joel," Jin said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kale hesitated but quickly nodded. He helped Stacy down and kept her close as they followed the emperor through the garden's winding paths.
---
Jin walked with an air of authority, his hands clasped behind his back as he glanced at Kale. "You seem different," he said casually.
Kale's heart skipped a beat. "Different, Your Majesty?"
The emperor's sharp gaze landed on him. "Yes. You've always been a man of few words, but now you seem… uncertain. Hesitant."
Kale scrambled to find a reply, his mind racing. "It's been a long time since I've been here," he said carefully. "A lot has happened."
Jin's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Indeed, death changes a man. It's remarkable that you and Lillian have returned at all. The heavens must favor you greatly."
Kale nodded mutely, unsure how to respond to such a statement. He tried to mimic Joel's calm demeanor, but his social awkwardness betrayed him at times.
When Jin asked him a direct question about a past campaign Joel had led, Kale stumbled over his words, giving a vague answer that only seemed to deepen the emperor's curiosity. "You're tired," Jin finally said, letting the matter drop.
Kale breathed a sigh of relief but knew he couldn't afford many more slip-ups.
---
As they walked, Jin's attention shifted to Stacy. He crouched again, looking her in the eyes. "Lillian, are you truly well? You've always been strong, but such an ordeal would leave even the bravest shaken."
Stacy glanced at Kale, her fear evident. He gave her a reassuring nod, silently willing her to stay calm.
"I'm fine, Your Majesty," she said softly.
The emperor smiled faintly, brushing her hair back again. "Good. You are as brave as your father."
Kale felt a pang of guilt at the lie, but he kept his face neutral.
Jin straightened, turning to Kale with a more relaxed expression. "There will be a feast tonight in honor of your return. The court will be eager to see you and Lillian again."
Kale forced a smile. "We are honored, Your Majesty."
---
As Jin led them back toward the dragon, Kale's mind raced. The emperor's casual assumption that their deaths were the cause of their current state only deepened the mystery. What had happened to Joel and Lillian? Why couldn't he remember their deaths?
He dared not ask Jin directly. The emperor seemed to believe they were still in shock, and any questions might only raise suspicion.
Instead, Kale resolved to tread carefully, piecing together the truth as he went. For now, his priority was protecting Stacy—and ensuring that their identities weren't discovered.
---
When they returned to the palace, Jin excused himself to attend to matters of state, leaving Kale and Stacy in their quarters. Kale sank into a chair, exhaustion washing over him.
Stacy climbed into his lap, burying her face in his chest. "Dad, I'm worried," she whispered.
"I know, sweetheart," Kale said, stroking her hair. "But I will get us out of here alive."
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