WINTER took a deep breath after seeing a piece of his mother's memory during her previous life.

It was a lot to take in, so he fell silent while thinking.

I didn't expect that Mother had been fighting the Moonchesters since her previous life. But what kind of a "spirit" gives that kind of punishment? It was so unfair! Because of that curse, my mommy lived and died miserably!

"Are you alright?" Lord Wixx asked him. "Did you see your mother's previous memories?"

"I did, Uncle Wixx," Winter said with clenched teeth. "My mother was cursed to have a miserable life after her reincarnation. She also lost her memories, that's why she was easily controlled by the Moonchesters."

His uncle could only smile bitterly.

"Was the "Lord Kalel" that Mommy mentioned the identity of my dad in his past life?" he asked curiously. "I just have a feeling that my parents are meant to be in all lifetimes."

The Red Phoenix scowled. ��Ah, right. Your father was also an important person in his past life. Actually, he still is."

"What is my father's identity?" he asked. "I thought father was a commoner before he married my mother."

"I'm only telling you this because you have to know the truth if you want to save your father," Uncle Wixx said seriously. "Winter, your father is the Black Serpent himself."

He was too shocked to react to that revelation.

But come to think of it, it made sense. His mother, in her previous life, had so many awesome titles. Only someone as amazing as she was had the right to marry her.

Being the Black Serpent makes Dad a god, too.

"My mother and father were both powerful beings and yet, this happened to them because of a curse?" he asked with his fists clenched. "Worst of all, I inherited both of their bloods but I'm nothing but a useless child…"

"You're not useless, Winter," his uncle said. "You're just as special as your parents."

"How so, Uncle?"

"The reason why I asked Luna to send you here isn't just for your mother's ashes," he said seriously, then he put his hands on his shoulders. "Winter, you are the Moon Serpent. In your past life, you were a fallen god that was also known as a God Slayer. But most of all, in this lifetime, you are the one destined to kill Aku Moonchester."

He was shocked again but this time, he was able to absorb the information that he heard faster. "Uncle, I have many titles just like Mommy."

His uncle looked confused because his remark had nothing to do with his revelation. Then, he laughed. "That's true. Your mother had so many accomplishments in her previous life. Thus, she gained a lot of different titles. And so did you, Winter."

He clenched his fists tight. "Can I really kill the emperor, Uncle? I am not that strong enough."

"I hate to say this but I believe you still need your father's help to do that," his uncle explained. "Winter, there's still something else that you need to know about the Black Serpent: he's actually the son of the Moon God."

His eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"The Moon God tried to steal the Black Serpent's body in the past," his uncle continued. "I burned the Black Serpent's body so they wouldn't succeed. But now that I'm locked up here, you have to do the job."

He was horrified to hear that. "Uncle, are you asking me to kill my own father?"

"He's no longer your father, Winter," the Red Phoenix said firmly. "If he wakes up while his physical body is being burned, then it's alright to keep him alive. But if he doesn't wake up, it would be better to burn him to ashes so the Moon God would fail." He paused, then he shook his head. "Actually, you really have no choice but to kill your father."

"I can't do that to my own father," he said while shaking his head hard. "And I have never summoned flame in my life, Uncle."

"And that's the reason why I asked Luna to send you here with your mother's ashes."

"I don't understand, Uncle."

"Open the urn and you'll see what I'm talking about."

He did as he was asked even though he was confused.

And instead of answers, he only got more questions when he opened the urn. His mother's ashes weren't there. A red diamond as big as his fist was placed inside. It was the most beautiful gem that he had seen in his life.

"Your mother's Black Flame was stolen from her," his uncle said. "But she had my heart and therefore, she still had the ability to reincarnate. The fact that her ashes have already turned into the physical form of my heart means she's ready to be reborn in the same lifetime as this."

His brows furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand, Uncle. How is that possible?"

"I don't know exactly how but apparently, the Black Serpent is the reason why the curse bestowed upon your mother could be lifted," the Red Phoenix explained. "All I know is that to "reset" this lifetime, your father has to die. It was an instruction that I received from him in his past life as Kalel Nystrom."

He felt gutted. "But why would father sacrifice his life?"

"Isn't it obvious?" his uncle asked. "It's definitely for your mother's sake."

He gulped hard. Even though it was for his mother's sake, he still didn't know if he could kill his own father. "Uncle…"

"I know it's tough but we don't have a choice," Lord Wixx said. "Winter, I will put my heart inside your body to ignite the fire Mana in you."

He let out a loud gasp.

"If I do that, your flame will be strong enough to burn your father's body," his uncle continued seriously. "I don't know if your body can handle it but you have to do your best. Winter, now that your mother is gone and your father isn't himself, you're the only hope that we have to ensure that your mother will have another chance to live a happy life." Once again, he held his shoulders tight. "It's not only your mother's life that will change if we succeed, Winter. If she gets to fix her life next time, then she'd get to stay with and your father again."

A chance to "reset" and restart…?

To have that kind of future, then he shouldn't be surprised that a huge sacrifice was needed at the present.

"I'll do my best, Uncle," Winter said with clenched fists. "For my family."

"I'm sorry, my dear nephew," Uncle Wixx said with a sad smile on his face. "I'm sorry that I have to make you do this."

***

[AFTER 6 MONTHS…]

"Young Master, I have nothing else to teach you."

Winter smiled amd bowed to Lord Denver. "Thank you for teaching me the fire technique, Lord Denver."

After his Uncle Wixx put his heart inside him, he once again escaped the Royal Capital with Lord Denver and Miss Luna.

Surprisingly, they brought him to a place very familiar to him– the Oakes territory, the dukedom owned by House Prescott. According to the two, it would be better for them to "hide in plain sight" instead of hiding far from where his father was.

Miss Luna chose a house in the foot of a mountain in Oakes that served as a lair for the Crades. Since it was a monster-infested area, the villagers and even the knights patrolling had never gone to that area during the whole time they were there.

Of course, Lord Denver cleared the area and Miss Luna put a strong barrier to ensure their safety from the monsters. Since they were surrounded by the forest, getting food supply was easy. And Miss Luna, in a disguise, would often visit the town to buy other supplies they needed.

That was how they lived for the past six months.

"Your father will arrive at the Prescott Manor at night," Miss Luna said. By "Prescott Manor," she meant the huge mansion owned by his family. That was the house they used whenever they went to Oakes in the past. "As far as what I gathered from the villagers, the duke will arrive with the Black Serpent Knights. Apparently, it was for the celebration of the founding of Oakes. His Majesty and his people will arrive tomorrow so we have to take care of your father tonight."

Lord Denver nodded in agreement. "The Black Serpent Knights are tenacious but Miss Luna and I will deal with them so just focus on your mission." His master gave him a look filled with sympathy. "Young Master, are you sure that you want to finish your father on your own?"

"I'd rather kill my dad than let His Majesty use his physical body to do evil stuff," Winter said with a sad smile. Of course, it still hurt so damn much that he had to kill his own father. But his uncle was right. They weren't sure if his father was still alive. And if his dad was, he knew that he'd rather die than hurt the people he loved while under the influence of other people. "I guess for tonight, I have to forget that I'm Winter Prescott," he said, then he clenched his fists and set aside his personal feelings. "I am just the Moon Serpent whose job is to kill evil gods as punishment."

***

WINTER was able to smoothly enter the Prescott Manor with the help of Lord Denver and Miss Luna.

Just like the two promised, they really took care of the Black Serpent Knights swiftly.

Now, it's time to look for Dad.

Since his father's Mana was unique, he just had to follow where it was coming from. He knocked out the servants that he met on the way to his dad's chamber. When he finally arrived, he quietly entered the room.

To be honest, he didn't put that much effort in sneaking in because he knew that his father was already aware of his presence. His dad didn't even hide his Mana as if he was inviting him to come to where he was.

"I never believed that you died from that ambush attack," his father, who sat on sofa while having a glass of red wine, said when he entered the room. "Welcome back, son."

Winter raised his brows. "For a father who lost his son for six months, you look pretty calm."

"Do you want me to cry for you?" he asked with a soft laugh, then he turned to her. His father's golden eyes were already glowing. "Who turned you into a Fire Mage while you were away?"

Okay, he was a little surprised to hear that. To be honest, he didn't hide his presence but he made sure that his ice Mana would dominate his growing fire Mana. But it seemed like he failed to do so.

"Of course, I would know," his father said with a smile. "The heart of the Red Phoenix isn't something that you can hide easily, son…" He sipped his red wine before he spoke again. "Ah, should I say 'grandson' since it seems like you already know that your father is gone."

Now that confirmed his thoughts.

"What did you do to my dad?!" he snarled at the man who stole his father's body. If he was his "grandfather," then he must be the Moon God. "And how could you do that to your own son, huh?!"

He went there with hesitation about killing his own father.

But if his dad was truly gone and this kind of person had taken over his body, maybe it was really his job as a son to end his poor father's suffering. Like what Lord Denver told him before, his dad would only be more miserable if he hurt the people he treasured with his own hands even though he was only being controlled.

I will save your soul, Dad.

"A child like you wouldn't understand our goal," the Moon God said, then he put down the glass on the table before he stood up and faced him. "I had fun toying with your mother's feelings after I took over your father's body. It was so fun to watch the Supreme's face when I tested against her in the noble trial to "protect" my "beloved" new wife. But do you know what was the funniest part?" When he didn't comment, the cruel god continued. "I made a happy face when your mother was beheaded. I wanted her to think that my foolish son was relieved that she was finally gone." He snapped his fingers. "Ah, you were there, too. You weren't yourself because of Nia Moonchester's mind control so you probably don't remember. But I think the princess made you wear the same expression that I had back then." This time, he laughed loudly while clapping his hands. "I also heard Lucina Morganna laugh after the poor Supreme was beheaded. I can't imagine how she felt by then."

To say that Winter was devastated to hear what had occurred during his mother's final moments would be an understatement.

He was gutted.

Heartbroken.

Mother left this world thinking that Dad and I didn't love her…

When anger rose up his chest, the red flame that Uncle Wixx lent him came out of his body and engulfed him. The angrier he got, the bigger the flame grew.

"I'll burn you alive," Winter threatened the Moon God. Right now, he decided to complete that he was Winter Prescott. He finally embraced the fact that he was the Moon Serpent– the "God Slayer" that had the responsibility to kill evil gods. "You have no right to exist in this world, Moon God."

"I'm sorry, my dear grandson," the Moon God said with an "apologetic" smile. "Someone else has business with you."

As soon as the Moon God said that, a cold and sharp staff pierced through his chest.

For some reason, the staff that stabbed him seemed to absorb his flames. They disappeared just like that. Or would it be more appropriate to say that his Mana was nullified?

"I finally caught you, Winter Prescott," the voice behind him said. He would never mistake Emperor Aku's voice to someone else. Ah, so His Majesty somehow knew that he would come at his father tonight, huh? "Now, it's time you give me the heart of the Red Phoenix."

***

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