Chapter 1

*Mistland* – an island lost in the endless waters, invisible to the ordinary eye, shielded from the outside world by ancient enchantments. It belonged to the mages, those who once chose to live apart from ordinary people, fleeing their fear, prejudice, and hatred. Here, they built their own state, hidden from time and prying eyes, a state with its own laws, strict traditions, and deep roots.

This island was like another world, living by its own rules. Its shores were encircled by steep cliffs, unassailable and severe, and beyond them stretched boundless forests teeming with life. Dense groves, filled with the fragrance of exotic flowers, reached the foothills of majestic mountains whose peaks were hidden in thick clouds. Here, among misty gorges and azure rivers, magic breathed in every corner, as if nature itself had absorbed the power of those who found refuge here. The meadows, stretching to the horizon, shimmered silver in the moonlight, and by day they burst with lush greenery, glowing with every shade of life. The rivers, pure and deep, crisscrossed the island, connecting cities and villages, while in the distance roared the boundless ocean, bestowing warmth and strength upon the coastal lands.

Across the expanse of this island lay thirteen cities, each governing its own portion of the land. At the head of each city stood a leading family, which protected it, cared for it, and ensured its prosperity. These families had passed down their power through generations, preserving traditions and order. Each city had its own symbol, reflecting its spirit and heritage. The symbol of *Soleil* was the color red – the color of the sun at its zenith, the color of an unquenchable flame, symbolizing the passion and strength of its people.

*Soleil* was one such city. It lay at the very edge of the island, where ocean waves crashed against golden sands, and the hot wind carried the scent of salt and exotic flowers. The climate here was warm, sometimes unbearably hot, with the sun hanging high in the sky, granting the city eternal summer. Its streets were bathed in light, white stone buildings gleaming in the rays of the midday sun, and roofs covered in red tiles reflected the heat like fires lit at sunset. Here, among wide squares, marble fountains, and winding alleys, the life of the mages flowed – strong, proud, and free.

But now, on this morning, the silence of the sunlit city was broken by joyful laughter. On one of the sandy beaches, where the surf washed against dark rocks, a girl ran barefoot across the hot sand, sparkling like gold. She was no more than ten or eleven years old, her chestnut hair flying in the wind, her light white dress flapping against her legs. But what was most unusual about her were her eyes – bright blue, like pieces of a clear sky, they stood out against the backdrop of sunlit Soleil, where such shades were rare. This made her special, strange, and even mesmerizing.

She laughed, clear and sincere, reveling in her freedom, the wind, the hot sun, and the cool waves gently lapping at the shore.

Behind her, desperately trying to keep up, ran several servants. One of them held a light shawl made of the finest fabric, another – a pair of expensive shoes that their young mistress had discarded somewhere on the stone staircase leading to the beach.

— Lady Mire! — came the anxious, pleading voice of one of them. — Please, come back! Your mother won’t be pleased if she finds out you’ve run off to the beach again!

But the girl only laughed in response, quickening her pace. The sand was hot, burning her heels, but she didn’t care. She loved this beach, this wind, this ocean. Here, among the white waves and golden shore, she felt truly free.

— Catch me if you can! — she shouted, turning around and flashing her rare blue eyes with glee.

The servants exchanged glances, realizing it was useless to argue, and continued the chase. This was Mire Sudzukawa – the only daughter of the Sudzukawa family, the clan that ruled Soleil.

Little was known about the Sudzukawa family, but their power was unquestioned. They were not an ancient clan like the other families that had governed Mistland’s cities for centuries. The Sudzukawa had risen to power recently, but they had done so swiftly and firmly, solidifying their position so quickly that no one dared to oppose them. Their name commanded respect, bordering on fear.

It was said that their ascent had been too rapid. No one knew exactly how the Sudzukawa had gained their power, but those who asked too many questions quickly disappeared from conversations, and sometimes from life altogether. Their family was secretive, keeping their distance from the other aristocrats, and the city knew only what they allowed it to know.

The family consisted of three: *Lian Sudzukawa, the mother, a strict and refined woman with cold brown eyes; **Hiro Sudzukawa, the father, about whom little was known, but who had recently fallen gravely ill and rarely left his chambers; and their daughter **Mire*, who had inherited her mother’s strength of character and her father’s rare blue eyes, the color of the clear sky over Soleil.

***

A woman in her mid-thirties sat in a cool room illuminated by the soft light from a window. *Lian Sudzukawa* ran her slender fingers over the rough pages of a book, though she had long stopped reading – her thoughts were far beyond these walls. Through the thin curtain, the fresh sea air wafted in, carrying the scent of salt and sun-warmed flowers.

Suddenly, her attention was caught by the sound of a child’s laughter. It rang out clearly, like a silver bell, cutting through the midday silence. Lian slowly raised her head and looked out the window. On the beach, shimmering in the sunlight, her daughter ran barefoot, chasing the waves and evading the flustered servants.

With a heavy sigh, Lian gently tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear and rose from her chair. She walked over to the bed, where an open book lay on a carved table, and softly placed it on the nightstand.

— You’re worrying about her again, Lian?

The man’s voice was hoarse but warm. On the bed lay her husband, *Hiro Sudzukawa*. His face, once strong and commanding, had grown gaunt, and his cheeks in the shadow of the bed seemed hollow. Yet he smiled as he watched his wife.

Lian turned to him, her brown eyes softening for a moment, though a trace of anxiety still lingered.

— She’s not like me, — she said quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed. — There’s so much wild fire in her… She’s stubborn, free-spirited…

— Just like you at her age, — Hiro gently countered, though his voice trembled.

Lian pressed her lips together.

— I was never like that. I knew what was expected of me. Mire… she’s different. She doesn’t listen, she doesn’t obey. Every time I look at her, I feel as though she sees no boundaries. She doesn’t understand that we’re not ordinary people.

Hiro chuckled hoarsely but immediately winced as pain shot through his chest. Lian leaned forward instinctively, but he weakly waved his hand, signaling that he was fine.

— She… understands more than you think, — he exhaled, catching his breath. — She just doesn’t want to admit it.

Lian was silent for a long time, then looked at him:

— You would have been the best teacher for her…

Hiro smiled, but his eyes dimmed.

— Perhaps.

He didn’t say aloud what they both were thinking. His time was running out. The illness was sapping his strength with each passing day.

Lian stood and walked to the window, watching her daughter.

— I’m afraid for her, — she admitted. — In a world where power decides everything, in a world where blood matters more than words… How will she cope with that?

— She’s a Sudzukawa, — Hiro said firmly. — She’ll manage.

Outside, Mire continued to run along the beach, while the servants futilely tried to catch her. The girl laughed, her face turned to the sun.

***

A knock came at the door.

Lian flinched, as though her thoughts had materialized in that quiet, cautious sound. She turned her head but didn’t have time to speak – the heavy wooden door creaked open, and the butler appeared on the threshold.

— My lady, — his voice was steady, but there was tension beneath it. — They’ve brought him. The last of the *Ambers* line.

Lian felt a chill run down her spine. All her composure, all her self-control vanished in an instant. She rose sharply, her lips pressed into a thin line.

The last of the Ambers line.

She stepped toward the door but stopped when she heard her husband’s weak, trembling voice:

— I miss the days when we first met…

She froze.

Hiro still lay in bed, gazing out the window. His chest rose and fell heavily, his breathing ragged, as though every word cost him dearly.

— You were just like her, — he continued, watching their daughter still running along the beach.

Lian didn’t respond. She simply left, leaving him alone.

***

She descended to the main gates, where several guards had already gathered. Against the backdrop of the grand white stone walls, reflecting the hot sun, stood a boy.

He was twelve, maybe thirteen. He was almost the same height as her daughter but looked older, as though life had forced him to grow up too soon. His skin was tanned, unusual for these parts, his hair blond but tangled from a long journey, and most notably – his blue eyes. Slightly darker than her husband’s and daughter’s, but unmistakably…

He was an Ambers.

Lian looked at him silently, masking her emotions behind a mask of icy calm.

The city of Soleil was the oldest of them all. The first mages of Mistland had settled here, and from here came the greatest lineages that still ruled this world. Only a few people in Soleil had blue eyes, but among them were the special ones – those whose eyes flared crimson when using magic.

The Ambers tribe.

Once, they had been one of the oldest magical lineages, known for their fiery power. They possessed a blazing magic born in their blood, and their bodies, tanned by the sun, knew no fear of flame. But history had been cruel to their people.

Under the rule of the previous family… they were meant to be wiped out.

In Soleil, everyone had fair skin – even under the scorching sun, their faces remained pale, as if protected by an invisible force. It was a trait of their magic, living in their blood. It shielded them not only from the sun’s heat but also from rapid aging, preserving their youth for decades.

But this boy…

Lian tilted her head, studying him. He was born with tanned skin. His complexion didn’t glow with the same fairness as the others. Among mages, tanned skin was rare. But this boy… He didn’t need protection from the sun. His blood wasn’t like theirs. His magic was part of history.

She smirked.

Lian crouched down in front of the boy, looking him straight in the eyes. She tried to read them.

And in that same moment, his pupils flared crimson.

A stream of fire burst from his mouth, like the breath of a dragon, swift and furious. Heat filled the space between them, tongues of flame rushing forward, threatening to incinerate her on the spot.

But Lian didn’t even flinch.

The air around her swirled, instantly forming a transparent vortex. Wind magic protected her, dispersing the flames, not allowing the fire to touch even the edge of her dress.

— Such temper, — she said calmly, without blinking.

The guards and servants immediately yanked on the ropes tied around the boy, and he collapsed onto his back, breathing heavily.

Lian slowly rose, her dress swaying softly from the residual wind. She looked down at him again, as though pondering what to do next.

— The last of the Ambers line… How interesting…

She took a step closer.

— You know, my daughter also has blue eyes…

The boy jerked his head up. His gaze was filled with everything: hatred, contempt, despair, anger.

— Impure blood! — he spat.

Lian’s eyes darkened slowly. She stared at him in silence, and her gaze grew heavy, as though the air in the room had suddenly thickened.

In a calm but icy voice, she spoke:

— Impure blood?

She stepped closer, her silhouette casting a long shadow.

— How primitive.

She crouched beside him, holding his gaze captive with her own.

— I want to buy you and give you life… Isn’t that better than being killed like the rest?

The boy growled, struggling, but the bindings held him fast. He clenched his teeth, breathing heavily, his eyes darting, but he didn’t beg for mercy.

Lian continued:

— The mistakes of the past must be corrected.

She leaned in slightly.

— I need your blood.

He froze.

— If my daughter has impure blood, as you say…

She touched his chin with her fingers, forcing him to look into her eyes.

— You will cleanse it.

The boy remained silent. His eyes still burned with hatred, but something else flickered in them—confusion.

Lian did not look away, watching as he struggled with himself. The wind whispered softly around her, like a living thing sensing the tension.

The guards stood at the ready, firmly holding the ropes. The fire that had just erupted from the boy’s mouth had scorched the sand beneath his feet, but he himself seemed unfazed by the pain.

—What’s your name?— Lian asked.

The boy squinted slightly, as if deciding whether to answer.

—You want to know my name, witch?— His voice was hoarse, but there was pride in it.

Lian did not respond to the insult, merely raising an eyebrow.

—Deyran,— he finally spat out.

—Deyran Ambers,— she repeated, tasting the name. It was strong, resonant, like the name of a warrior.

Lian slowly straightened.

—Release him,— she said calmly.

The guards froze.

—My lady…— one of them began hesitantly.

Lian shot him a look, and the man immediately fell silent.

The ropes loosened, and the boy jerked free, shaking off the bindings. His chest heaved, his fists clenched. He eyed the woman before him with suspicion, as if expecting a trap.

—You were told that all the Ambers were killed, weren’t you?— Lian continued, as if ignoring his tension.

Deyran didn’t answer, but his pupils flickered with a faint crimson glow.

—How much do you remember?— Her voice was even, devoid of pity.

The boy clenched his jaw.

—Enough to hate all of you.

Lian smirked.

—You’re too young to understand how this world works.

Deyran flared up, his hands trembling, and thin tongues of fire flickered in the air.

—I don’t need to understand this world!— he shouted. —I know one thing: your family killed mine! You destroyed everyone!

He took a step forward, and the air around him thickened with heat.

—Your father… and you… you’re cursed,— he hissed.

Lian slowly shook her head.

—Cursed?— Her voice was mocking. —Oh, child… you’re so sure in your hatred, but you don’t even know the whole truth.

Deyran gritted his teeth.

—What other truth?!

—Your family was exterminated by the order of the previous ruling family,— she said. —Not ours.

He froze.

—You’re lying,— he exhaled.

Lian stepped closer.

—You can feel it, can’t you, Deyran? Your flames didn’t touch me. They couldn’t. You sense the difference between us, don’t you?

The boy didn’t answer, but she saw his breathing falter.

—Your family was destroyed under a false order, but we didn’t give that order. We came to power after.

—And what does that change?!— he shouted. —You’re still one of them! Your chestnut hair… I’ll burn it, and you with it!

Lian tilted her head.

—Perhaps. But is there any point in that? I am Lian Sudzukawa, the representative of Soleil. And you’ve surely heard—I haven’t been in power for long, but I’ve achieved quite a lot. Want to know how?

Deyran gasped for air.

—You’re not going to kill me…— his voice was barely a whisper.

Lian smiled.

—No. I’m going to give you a chance to cleanse my daughter’s blood.

—Cleanse her blood?— He looked up at her, his eyes filled with rage and fear.

Lian glanced at his clenched fists, then at his face.

—You’ll understand when the time comes.

She turned to the guards.

—Take him to the lower halls. Give him water, food. But keep him under guard.

—Yes, my lady.

Deyran didn’t move until they grabbed his arms. He stared at her with burning eyes, but now there was more than just anger in them—a shadow of something else.

—Let’s get rid of the name Deyran…— Lian said calmly before leaving.

The boy tensed, his lips trembling, but he said nothing.

—It’s outdated,— she smiled faintly. —My daughter will give you a new name.

With those words, she turned away, leaving him in silence, broken only by the sound of the waves.

The wind swept across the beach, lifting fine grains of golden sand and carrying them toward the ocean. The waves whispered as they lapped at the shore, leaving cool foam on the hot sand. Mire, still laughing, deftly dodged the servants who were futilely trying to catch her.

The servants were out of breath, exhausted from the chase, but they continued to pursue the girl. One of them still held a light shawl, while another carried her discarded shoes, but none of them dared to grab her by force. After all, she was the daughter of Lian Sudzukawa—the only woman in Soleil whose wrath everyone feared.

But suddenly, the warm breeze turned into an icy gust. The air thickened, ringing as if before a storm. The sand swirled, forming a vortex around the girl, forcing her to freeze.

—My lady!— one of the servants gasped, stepping back.

Mire tensed. She felt the wind, the power.

She slowly turned—and her gaze met the cold, brown eyes of her mother.

Lian stood on the last step of the stone staircase leading to the beach. Her long, dark red silk dress billowed in the wind, and her thick chestnut hair fell neatly over her shoulders. Illuminated by the sun, she looked almost like a statue—beautiful, majestic, but terrifying.

The servants immediately stepped back, bowing their heads, but Mire didn’t move.

—You shouldn’t have run away, my lady,— one of the servants said quietly, nervously rubbing his hands.

—You should listen to your mother…— another muttered, hastily bowing.

But Lian didn’t even glance at them.

She extended her hand, pointing at her daughter.

—Come here.

Her voice was calm, but there was steel in it.

Mire swallowed.

She reluctantly took a step forward, then another. The sand was hot under her bare feet, but that was the least of her concerns now.

When she got closer, Lian sharply turned and walked back up the stairs.

—Come.

—Where?— Mire asked hesitantly.

—I don’t owe you an explanation.

Mire pressed her lips together but obeyed. She hurried after her mother, leaving a trail of footprints in the sand.

They climbed the stairs in silence. The wind still swirled around them, but it was no longer chaotic. It moved in smooth, precise streams, following Lian, emphasizing her presence.

When they finally reached the top of the stairs, Lian stopped and turned to her daughter.

—Explain yourself.

Her voice was even, but Mire could feel the hidden anger simmering beneath it.

—I just wanted…

—It doesn’t matter what you wanted,— Lian interrupted coldly.

She crossed her arms and looked at her daughter as if she were a disobedient child, not the heir to the Sudzukawa house.

—You run away. You don’t listen. You parade yourself in front of everyone like some common girl from a lesser family.

Mire flared up with indignation.

—I’m not a common girl!

—Then act like it.

Lian slowly took a step closer, her gaze heavy, like a stone.

—You’re a Sudzukawa. You’re the daughter of the city’s leader. People are watching you. People judge us by you.

—But I just…

—Enough.

Mire clenched her fists.

—You don’t even want to listen to me!

—Because your desires mean nothing if they jeopardize our reputation.

Lian turned and walked forward.

—You’re coming with me.

Mire felt anger rising inside her, but she didn’t argue.

She knew Lian wasn’t one to change her mind.

***

They crossed the spacious courtyard and headed toward the tall wooden gates leading to the central part of the residence. Lian walked quickly and confidently, her steps smooth but firm. Mire barely kept up, her bare feet barely touching the cool stones of the pavement.

At the entrance stood the butler—an elderly man with graying hair, dressed in a dark blue suit embroidered with the Sudzukawa family crest.

He bowed as soon as Lian approached.

—My lady.

—Is everything ready?— she asked without slowing down.

—Not yet,— he replied curtly, then added in a lower voice: —The boy’s just been taken to wash off the dirt.

Lian stopped instantly. A heavy silence hung in the air. Mire frowned, looking at her mother.

—Who was brought? - the girl asked.

—The last of the Ambers line,— the butler said quietly.

—Quiet!— Lian said, her voice steady but with steel underneath.

Lian’s gaze turned cold. Lian stared ahead, her face impassive, but Mire noticed the slight tension in her fingers. Mire didn’t understand what it meant, but she felt the tension thickening around her mother.

Lian took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. She said something to the butler, then looked at her daughter.

—Come.

Lian walked with confident steps down the long, marble corridor, her movements smooth, almost silent, like a predator who knows exactly where it’s going. Mire barely kept up, her feet barely touching the floor as she tried to catch up, but she couldn’t help but notice how different this house was from everything she’d seen before.

Although this mansion belonged to her family, to Mire it was still a completely new place. The main house of the Sudzukawa family was located in the very center of Soleil, and it was a true palace. But this house was something entirely different. It stood on the outskirts of the city, as if in a secluded corner, away from the hustle and bustle. The building was much less grand than the central residence, but no less beautiful—everything was done in an elegant and cozy style. There was a calm atmosphere here, as if this place wasn’t for living, but for rest, a kind of retreat for the Sudzukawa family.

The corridor was adorned with the same paintings Mire had seen in her own home, but they weren’t about what had happened to their family in recent years. There were no portraits of Lian, no images of the Sudzukawa as rulers—after all, the family had only come to power a few years ago. The walls were decorated with paintings depicting the past: ancient views of Soleil, portraits of ancient mages and great heroes of the past, in which one could make out the silhouettes of warriors and mages long gone from this world. Mire looked at these paintings with interest, almost trying to find something familiar in each one, something connected to her family. And yet, despite her love for this house, it still felt alien, and the memories seemed to have no connection to it.

Mire approached one of the paintings and lingered on the image of the ancient city that was her home, but on the other side of this painting, in its heart, which held more shadow than light, she felt something utterly foreign.

—Mom, which room is dad in?— Mire finally asked, looking at Lian with keen interest. She couldn’t wait to see her father, whom she hadn’t seen since arriving here. Despite her youth, she knew her father was an important figure in their family, and she always felt that much depended on his attention.

Lian didn’t turn around, her steps didn’t slow.

—He’s on the top floor,— her voice was even, but there was a hidden tension in it.

Mire hesitated for a moment, then hurried after her mother. She didn’t know what she wanted to hear, but there was something in Lian’s answer that stopped her from asking the next question. Her mother never spoke much about her father’s condition. She knew he was ill, but no one talked about his ailment. Only rare hints, which made no sense to decipher, made Mire feel that something was wrong.

"He’s weak," Mire repeated to herself, but for some reason, it disappointed her. Why was she being kept from her father? Why wasn’t she allowed to see him?

—When can I meet him?— she dared to ask, but Lian only sighed heavily at her daughter’s question.

—He came here to regain his strength. Let’s not disturb his treatment.

Mire felt her breath catch. She wanted to ask more, but her mother seemed to withdraw. Lian didn’t like talking about her father. She always kept those questions outside their conversations. All Mire knew was his illness, which was hidden from everyone. Why did she know so little about her own father? Why did no one talk about how sick he was?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Lian suddenly stopped at a massive door. Mire noticed how Lian’s hand slid over the surface of the door, as if it were her last gesture before opening this secret room.

She placed her palm on the center of the door, and at that moment, Mire felt the air in the corridor grow dense. It was as if magic itself had filled the space. The wind, like an invisible hand, swept through the corridor, and the door slowly opened before them.

Mire turned, staring in amazement at her mother, who seemed not to notice this effect, and entered the room first. Her magic, the magic of wind, was powerful, and it was always evident. Lian didn’t enter immediately. She stood as if remembering something. Lian finally took a step forward, and the door slowly swung open.

Mire followed, quietly stepping on the marble floor. The room that opened before them was vast and majestic. Along the walls stood tall shelves filled with books, tomes, and manuscripts, as if this room wasn’t just a library, but a true repository of ancient knowledge.

Mire stopped behind her mother, listening to the silence. It seemed her mother was recalling something important, something long forgotten, but what exactly—Mire couldn’t tell.

Before them lay a vast room filled with heavy books, manuscripts, and ancient scrolls covered in dust and time. The floor was made of marble, and the light streaming through the high windows barely illuminated the corners. The room smelled of old paper and leather. This was a library, but not an ordinary one.

Lian handed the book to Mire with a light, almost imperceptible movement of her hand. This book wasn’t just an old manuscript—it was a key. A key to something Mire couldn’t yet fully understand or grasp. In her hands lay something important, far more important than anything she knew about her world.

Mire silently took the book. She felt its weight, but not just physical. It was the weight of her destiny, just beginning to settle on her shoulders. She tried to understand what her mother was trying to convey. Over the years of their interactions, Lian had never made such serious statements, and Mire felt the tension in the air, as if the very space around her had grown denser. With each passing moment, her understanding became more blurred and hazy.

—You’ll need this book,— Lian said, her voice even but with a hidden heaviness. —Before you meet your new friend.

Mire raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked into her mother’s face. A new friend? The word sounded as if Lian were speaking of something very important. There had been no “new friends” in her life. The Sudzukawa family wasn’t accepted in the city’s high society, and Mire had always remained in the background, as if not trying to fit into this alien world. The elite families avoided them, and children from other cities showed no desire to get to know her.

—Who is it?— she asked, not hiding her doubt and curiosity.

Lian didn’t answer immediately, her gaze becoming distant, as if she were thinking of something far away, forgotten, but important. She opened the book to the right page, and her fingers lingered for a few seconds before she pointed to a line. Mire leaned in to read, and her eyes fixed on one word.

—Ambers,— she pronounced, emphasizing each letter.

ambers. The word sounded as if it were forgotten, overshadowed, but not gone. It was an ancient surname, an ancient lineage. But how could she know about it? Why was her mother suddenly talking about it?

Lian began to explain, her voice quiet but full of determination:

—The Ambers were an ancient lineage, lost many years ago. Their magic was one of the most powerful in this world. But, alas, they mixed their blood with ordinary mages. And over time, as their blood mixed, their power diminished. Over time, blue eyes became rare, and now, in Soleil, only a few have them. Only a handful of them bear the true mark of the ambers. This is your destiny, Mire.

Mire felt her vision blur. She understood that something important lay in these words, but she couldn’t grasp the full weight of their meaning. Blue eyes… they really were something special, but until now she had thought it was just an inheritance from her father. Now, as her mother spoke of it as some ancient legacy, it sounded like something far more significant.

—But it’s not just the color of your eyes,— Lian continued. —There are no pure-blooded ambers left. They were destroyed many years ago. And you, Mire, inherited blue eyes for a reason. This is part of your destiny. But to restore the power of the Ambers, you’ll need to find someone who can bring back this magic. Someone who still carries pure blood.

Mire tried to process everything her mother had said, but the meaning still eluded her. How could she restore the power of the Ambers if all the purebloods had been destroyed? How could she become part of something that had been shattered long ago? And who was this "new friend" Lian was talking about?

Lian noticed her daughter’s confusion, and her gaze softened, though it remained resolute.

—He is the last of the Ambers line,— Lian said. —He was recently found. He is a pureblood Ambers, and only with him can you restore the power of your lineage. You must meet him and together attempt to reclaim what was lost.

Mire opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words. She had never heard of such a person. This "new friend" her mother spoke of was someone who possessed the true magic of the Ambers. But who was he? Where had they found him?

—You inherited your destiny from your father,— Lian continued. —The blue eyes are no accident. This is your duty. You will be the one to revive the power of the Ambers. Your blue eyes… They are the most unique out of all.

At this, Lian paused, and her eyes grew softer, as if trying to convey something important. But there was no trace of regret in her voice.

—As the daughter of the Sudzukawa family, you must hold firm. We did not come to power by chance. We must do everything to restore the lineage, and with it, the strength that can change the course of history.

Mire didn’t understand what exactly she was supposed to do. She didn’t know how this could affect her life, but something in her heart began to stir, pulling her toward a future she hadn’t even imagined. Everything seemed hazy and unclear. But her mother’s words were firm, and Mire felt her life shifting with every word.

—I... I don’t understand,— she said quietly, her voice filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Lian looked at her. Her face grew serious, her eyes hard, as if she were gazing into the future.

—You will understand when the time comes, Mire. But you must be ready. Otherwise, all the power, all the magic of the Ambers, will be lost forever.

Everything around her felt unnatural, but Mire knew she could no longer return to her old life. Everything she knew now demanded change. And her future was not what she had expected.

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