Kael's mother gently placed him on the bed.
She adjusted the small pillow behind him and smiled softly.
"Stay here for a moment, okay? I'll be right back."
Kael looked at her and nodded slightly.
"Okay, Mom."
His mother smiled again and walked out of the room.
The door remained slightly open as her footsteps slowly faded down the hallway.
For a moment, the room became quiet.
Kael looked at the ceiling for a second.
Then he slowly sat up on the bed.
"So… where were we?" he murmured quietly.
He crossed his small arms and tilted his head slightly.
"Oh right."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You already found out my name… Kael."
He paused for a moment.
"And yes… I was supposed to die when I was born."
His golden eyes slowly moved toward the empty space near the wall.
"But I came back."
Just then—
the air in the room felt slightly strange.
A faint dark shape slowly formed in the corner.
Like a shadow gathering together.
A soft voice echoed quietly.
"Looks like you finally remember."
The shadow slowly took a clearer shape.
It looked like a floating figure made of darkness.
"I was wondering how long it would take you."
Kael looked at it calmly.
"Oh… it's you."
He didn't look surprised at all.
"It's been a while."
The shadow chuckled softly.
"My name is Dark Smiler."
Kael sighed slightly.
"Yeah… I remember."
The dark figure floated a little closer.
"So… you finally woke up properly."
Kael leaned back on the bed casually.
"Something like that."
Just then—
Footsteps.
Kael's ears twitched slightly.
Someone was walking toward the room.
Kael quickly glanced at the shadow.
"Go back."
The shadow paused.
"Hm?"
"My mom is coming."
The dark figure laughed quietly.
"Fine."
In the next second, the shadow faded away like smoke disappearing into the air.
The room returned to normal.
Just then, the door opened.
Kael's mother walked back inside.
She stopped for a moment when she saw him.
"Kaelu…?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"How are you sitting so quietly?"
Kael immediately lay back on the bed again and looked at her innocently.
His golden eyes blinked softly.
"Nothing, Mom."
She smiled gently and walked toward him.
But for some reason…
the room still felt slightly different.
As if someone had been there just moments ago.