The Forbidden Heir
Daiya, the Queendom of the Sacred Diamond—better known as the Queendom of the Unicorn— is one of the three great empires that rule the continent of Belissa.
It’s a peaceful land. The Daiyans live decent lives, holding on to their stories and prayers, all centered on their divine unicorn.
Yes, a unicorn. Sounds strange, maybe even ridiculous, but for them it’s the heart of their world. Like any culture, though, not everyone buys into it. There are always skeptics, even here, whispering doubts against centuries of tradition.
But the Daiyans have their reasons. A unicorn — just like people imagine it, a shining horse‑like creature with a horn, sometimes even wings, glowing with elegance — once walked among them. A hundred years ago, it saved the princess of Daiya, and not just her. It rescued countless others in danger, becoming a symbol of hope. Then, one day, it vanished. That disappearance was the beginning. People built sacred spaces, places meant only for prayer, asking for the protection of what they now called the Divine Unicorn.
Still, it’s been eighteen years since anyone last saw it. The Daiyans whisper their prayers, hoping it will return, asking for its unseen protection while they wait. Some believe it hides on the Sacred Island, where it was spotted many times over the past century — until eighteen years ago. But the island is forbidden. Ever since the queen of that time, mother of the princess saved by the unicorn, declared humans unworthy to walk the same ground as such a creature, stepping on its coast has been considered trespassing.
But that didn’t stop some adventurers and fishers from keeping a close eye on it. Some even claimed to have seen a boy throughout the years, a young and ethereal boy, brown‑skinned, with silver hair. Most don’t believe them.
“Which is great for me!” Kai thought.
Our protagonist sat on a plastic chair outside, beside a small, humble wooden house. He tilted the chair back, eyes the color of the sky fixed upward, lost in thought. The breeze was cool and refreshing, brushing through his chalk‑white hair, as if the wind itself wanted to carry his thoughts away, but failing miserably.
“If they find out I live here, I’m toast. No clue what kind of punishment they’d throw at me… probably something nasty,” Kai muttered.
He always had thoughts like this since he was a child. After all, he had never stepped foot on the mainland of the kingdom. He’d spent his whole life on the Sacred Island, with his mother — Sera.
“I still don’t get why we have to live here of all places. The mainland can’t be that bad. Sure, life here’s peaceful, but it’s boring. Is it because of… my powers? I’ll ask Mom about that.”
“Ask me what?” Sera’s voice cut in.
Kai jolted. “Mom! Don’t sneak up on me like that, you scared me!”
Sera smirked, teasing. “Oh, I can. And I did. So—ask me what?”
Kai frowned. “Why we’re stuck here. We’ve been in this forest forever. I know I have to hide my powers, but if we lived in a city, I could just… not use them in front of anyone. Easy.”
Her smile faltered, pity flickering in her eyes. “You’re blessed, Kai. I’m protecting you. But… it’s time. We’ll talk tonight at dinner.” Then she forced cheer back into her tone. “Meanwhile, enjoy the island. It’s all yours. You can go wherever you like, and I don’t have to worry, because you can defend yourself against anything. And since it’s just us, no one can hurt you.”
Kai squinted. “That’s not an answer. But fine. I’m going to find BiBi. At least she doesn’t dodge questions.”
“Okay, but be back before dark,” Sera said warmly, though her tone carried a subtle warning. “And keep your eyes open.”
Kai grinned. “Don’t worry. You said it yourself — I can handle myself. And I doubt I’ll run into any bears today.”
“You’ve always been stronger than them anyway…”
Kai’s tone shifted, uneasy. “That’s not what I mean. The animals… they’ve been strange. Last week, I saw a bear. I was ready to fight it off, but… it bowed to me. Or at least, I think it did. Maybe I’m imagining things.”
Sera gasped, her eyes wide with surprise and worry. She stayed silent.
Kai caught it — the flicker in her face — and unease began to creep across his own. “Okaaay… I’ll be back.”
The sacred forest of the island was their lifelong home. Though neither Sera nor Kai tended it, the place remained pristine, as if unseen hands cared for its plants. Bears and snakes roamed, yet the forest itself felt like a fairy tale: butterflies glowing with radiant colors, birds singing endlessly, flowers blooming in every color and tall trees that let sunlight spill through their branches and leaves.
Kai wandered deeper, searching for BiBi, his bird. Little birds of all colors chirped at him, swooping close, circling him with joy. He laughed, his heart light.
“Hahaha. Hey, Lala. Have you seen BiBi? I’m looking for her.”
The bird chirped in reply.
“Near the old big tree? Pretty sure all trees here are big and old.”
The bird chirped louder, almost scolding.
“Okay, okay! Near the river. Got it. Thanks.”
The river was surrounded by forest, but to reach it Kai had to go deeper, where the larger creatures roamed. That wasn’t a concern for him; scaring off or even hurting animals of that level was easy. After all, he had powers.
Yet as he pressed further into the woods, uneasiness crept in. Nearing the river, the uneasiness twisted into dizziness. Sounds echoed unnaturally, colors bled together, and his vision faltered. His consciousness slipped.
“I need water… just a little more…”
At last, the faint rush of crystal‑clear water reached his ears.
“Finally… I need water…” His knees buckled.
A sharp pain pierced his forehead. He clutched it with both hands.
“Ugh… ah! Augh! What’s happening?!”
He quivered, shivered, whimpered… then silence. He fainted.
His eyes opened slowly. “Augh… what even happened?”
A blue bird — BiBi — chirped frantically, circling him in distress. Kai looked at her with pity, wishing he could help, but his body felt unbearably heavy. He tried to lift his hand… but what rose was not a hand. It was a limb. A pitch‑black horse’s limb.
“A horse limb?! No way… why do I see a horse with a horn? Am I hallucinating? Probably… I’m confused. I should just go home and rest. Bye BiBi, maybe another time.”
But BiBi followed. Soon, more birds joined her. Then squirrels, hamsters, butterflies. The forest itself seemed alive, drawn to him.
“Hey little ones, this is where we part ways. You can’t come inside — Mom wouldn’t like that.”
“Mom! Please open the door! I’m back!” Kai thought he had spoken.
Inside, Sera’s heart skipped. Tears welled. She opened the door. A black, silver‑haired, blue‑eyed unicorn stood before her.
Kai gasped. “Mom, what happened?! Did you get hurt?! Mom?!”
Sera whispered through tears. “It’s okay, Kai. Everything will be alright. I’m here… I can help. Don’t be scared, I can turn you back. Your dad taught me how.”
She hugged him, but Kai realized her arms couldn’t wrap around his back. He looked down — hooves.
Surprise, fear, confusion — all crashed into him. But he kept calm and tears streamed down his face.
Sera raised her hands, performing a spell unlike any he had seen. A soothing light enveloped him, blinding white. Then it faded. His body felt light again. He lifted his hand — a human hand.
His knees gave way. He sobbed. “I… hic… I was… hic… scared… I’m so sorry… hic…”
Sera knelt, hugging him tight. “Don’t be sorry. Nothing here is your fault.”
“I… I scared you… hic…”
“No, honey. You didn’t scare me. It’s my fault. I knew this would happen. I should’ve told you before. There’s nothing wrong with you. Let’s go inside. I’ll explain. I’m so sorry.”
Kai sat in the small kitchen, eyes swollen and red from crying. Sera placed a cup of tea before him.
“Honey… how do I even start?” She hesitated, then asked: “Remember the unicorn we pray to?”
Kai nodded.
“Well… I should’ve told you this before. His name was Ken, crown prince of the unicorns… and he is your father.”
to be continued.
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