(Raine PoV)

I have very fond memories of Alto. I remember we spent a lot of time together goofing around (of course we had other obligations too but I most enjoy remembering the laughter ). I remember us always talking about a place beneath the sky called ‘ground level’. He'd often show me pictures and books he had gotten somewhere/somehow. I wanna go there! Ground level looks cool. There's so much to explore! Everything was So warm and carefree until he reached the age I am now. My dad started taking up more of his time. They had meetings a lot. I remember that one day I eavesdropped on one of their meetings and heard them arguing about something. I did key in on one of the subjects they disagreed about... ground level.

Then I remember that one night. He woke me up. I was drowsy and could barely make out his figure in the depths of the night. He said his goodbye in a hushed tone and left behind a picture and a note which read ‘wanderlust and wonderment’. That was the last time I saw him.

The next day the Kingdom and its king were in a frenzy. Alto was gone. A coronation postponed. The former merger fell through. A kingdom disgraced. And from that day forward my dad prohibited any mention of ground level within the kingdom. The royal guards swept through my room and confiscated anything regarding that subject. I made sure to hide the picture and note Alto left somewhere safe so no one would find it.

It wasn’t long before Kingdom Stratus had moved on from the Alto fiasco. And a few years later we found another budding partnership w/ Sky Atlia.

And now here I am years later pestering My father about the same subject.

"What happened to Alto?"

"Why exactly did he leave for ground level ?"

My father, angered, faced me.

"Your lips shall not utter your brother's name nor mention ground level any longer! Your only thoughts should be about doing what's best for your kingdom."