Light began speaking, his voice steady but carrying the weight of memory.
"Thirteen years ago, when I was just five years old, my father was not yet king."
Karem leaned in slightly, nodding.
"I know. Back then, Hikari's father, Draekor Leo, ruled as the King of the Central Kingdom."
Light continued, his tone deepening as he remembered.
"My father was one of Leo's closest friends and also served as his advisor. At that time, my mother was still alive. On the day the war began, I was outside with her. The streets were in ruins, and under Draekor's reign, there was no law. The Voltra beings did whatever they pleased, enslaving ordinary humans and treating them as nothing more than property."
He paused, his expression darkening.
"That day… my mother and I witnessed something. A hybrid was assaulting a helpless woman in broad daylight. She was just an ordinary human — powerless, terrified. The man was trying to force himself on her. My mother couldn't bear to watch it happen. She told me to stay where I was and rushed forward."
Light's fists clenched as he spoke, recalling the scene.
"She confronted him, demanding, 'What do you think you're doing to this woman? Who is she to you?' The man sneered and barked back, 'It's none of your business. Get lost.'
But my mother didn't leave. She asked the woman, 'Is this man your husband?' And through tears, the woman cried out, 'No! He's trying to rape me… please, save me!'
The hybrid struck her across the face and shouted, 'Shut up, or I'll beat you to death.' Hearing this… my mother's anger exploded."
Light's voice trembled slightly, but he pressed on.
"She stepped forward and ordered him to let the woman go. The man laughed and mocked her, saying, 'Who do you think you are? You don't even seem like a Voltra being. If you don't walk away now, I'll take my pleasure from you instead. You're far prettier than this worthless human anyway.'"
Karem's eyes narrowed as he listened, but Light kept speaking.
"My mother didn't back down. She told him, 'I am the wife of the King's advisor. If you dare to touch this woman again, I will have you arrested immediately.'
The hybrid froze, fear flashing across his face. He bowed his head and stammered, 'I-I'm sorry. I didn't know who you were. Please forgive my arrogance, my lady.'
My mother's voice was sharp but controlled. 'I'll let you go this time. But if this ever happens again, I will make sure you're punished.' The man muttered, 'Yes, my lady,' and ran off."
Light's tone softened.
"Afterward, my mother helped the woman to her feet and asked gently, 'Are you okay?' The woman, still trembling, whispered, 'Thank you… thank you, my lady.'"
"My mother came back to me and said, 'This really ruined our outing, Light. Come on, let's go somewhere else.'
We kept walking. I was quiet, but I kept glancing at her. She looked… disturbed. Seeing that man abuse the woman had shaken her deeply, and she was lost in thought. After a while, she finally spoke.
'Light, promise me something. Promise me that you will never become like those other Voltra beings—hurting and oppressing ordinary humans. Instead, you will help them.'
I hesitated for a second and asked, 'Mom, what makes you thi—'
But she cut me off sharply.
'Just promise me!'
So I said, 'I promise, Mom. I'll never do something like that. I'll help them instead.'
She smiled at me then, and that smile gave me so much relief. In that very moment, I felt something stir inside me—a purpose. That was when the thought first came to me: I wanted to become King, so I could make her even happier, even prouder.
I told her, 'Mom, when I grow up, I will become King. And I'll help all those ordinary people who have no Voltra.'
She looked at me gently and said, 'I wish you can.'
Then I asked her, 'But Mom, you're also an ordinary human without Voltra or power. So… did Dad also force you into marriage like the others do with slaves?'
She shook her head quickly.
'No, Light. Your father isn't like that. I married him because I loved him—and he loved me too. To be honest, I despise Voltra beings for the way they treat others… but not your father. With him, it's different. By marrying him, I found a way to actually help people instead of watching them suffer.'"
Light said softly, "So this was your dream, Mom?"
She opened her mouth to answer, but before she could, a thunderous explosion shook the ground.
My mother's eyes widened. "What was that?"
Panic spread instantly. People around us screamed and scattered in every direction. My mother didn't waste a second—she lifted me into her arms, holding me close.
Suddenly, a squad of soldiers appeared, their voices booming through the speakers:
"Everyone, please remain calm and listen carefully! The Central Kingdom has been attacked! We are working to evacuate the citizens—please gather in one place and follow the rescue teams. I repeat, the Central Kingdom has been attacked! Everyone, follow the evacuation orders!"
My mother rushed toward one of the soldiers, her voice sharp with urgency.
"What happened? Who is attacking us?"
The soldier, tense and out of breath, replied, "The Eastern and Western Kingdoms… they've joined forces. Their armies are advancing straight toward the royal palace. They're blasting everything in their path. You need to get to safety right now, my lady!"
"But how?" my mother pressed. "The Central Kingdom is surrounded by barriers—how could they possibly cross our borders so easily?"
The soldier's face turned grim.
"They didn't cross from the ground… they came from above. It was a sneak attack from the skies."
"That's impossible," my mother said, her voice trembling. "No one can enter this kingdom, not even from the sky. The barriers are too strong."
The soldier shook his head. "The barriers… they were deactivated. We don't know how."
My mother's eyes went wide with horror.
"Two kingdoms attacking together… this is bad. This is very bad."