Chapter 1: Riots and Tragedies

At the beginning of time, the world was created in harmony between light and darkness. This balance nurtured life, forming kingdoms, nations, and creatures that walked upon its land. Yet, just as light brings hope, darkness has its own way of creeping in, slowly but surely.

The Kingdom of Veldron, once praised as the center of civilization and justice, had now become a symbol of oppressive power. Under the rule of a new tyranny, their military force spread like wildfire, consuming cities and villages that refused to submit. In their wake, only destruction remained.

However, the greatest threat did not come from the soldiers of Veldron or their bloodthirsty swords. Beneath the shadow of their ambition, an ancient power began to rise—a darkness buried for millennia. This force sought not just destruction, but a greater purpose: to swallow the entire world into an eternal void.

Amidst this turmoil, a humble family living on the outskirts of the kingdom found themselves trapped between fate and devastation. Ian, Gerude, and Gorgoyle—three siblings raised in the love of their parents—never suspected that their bloodline held a great secret. An ancient lineage tied to a power capable of maintaining the world's balance.

Yet, this bloodline was also a burden. Gorgoyle, the eldest brother, disappeared amidst the chaos that shattered their home. When he returned, he was no longer the man they had known. His soul had been taken by the darkness, and he became a threat far greater than Veldron's army.

In the midst of the ruins, Ian and Gerude fled with the help of a mysterious woman named Elara. She carried a frightening prophecy—that the destruction they witnessed was just the beginning. The world was heading toward a war that would decide the fate of all who lived.

That night, beneath the dim stars, their journey began. Not only to save themselves but also to uncover the truth behind their lineage, to confront the darkness that had consumed their brother, and to battle the forces that threatened to erase everything.

Yet, in every struggle, there is a sacrifice to be made. And in the shadows of the chilling night, no one knew if light could still triumph over darkness.

**

The city, once teeming with life, had now become a battlefield of destruction. Ian and Gerude ran through the debris, their breaths ragged as screams of terror mixed with the thudding footsteps of soldiers chasing them from behind. Black smoke billowed, obscuring their vision, while the flames devoured the remnants of the life that once existed.

"Ian, move faster!" Gerude shouted, gripping her brother's hand tightly. Her eyes were filled with tension, yet unwavering determination.

"I... I can't just leave them behind," Ian muttered, glancing back for a moment, his eyes fixated on the ruins of their home now reduced to ashes. It was there he had grown up with their parents, Gram and Gaia, who were now gone. But the sound of soldiers closing in forced Ian to push the painful thoughts aside.

"We don't have time," Gerude said firmly. "Mom and Dad sacrificed everything so we could survive. Don't let their sacrifice be in vain!"

Ian swallowed hard and nodded slowly. With heavy steps, he followed Gerude, leaving the painful memories burning behind them. They made their way down narrow streets littered with rubble, trying to avoid the gaze of the Veldron Kingdom soldiers relentlessly pursuing them.

As they turned into a small alley, a shadowy figure appeared from behind the ruins ahead. A woman in black attire, her long hair cascading down her back, with eyes glowing with a mysterious aura, stood there. Gerude and Ian froze, their bodies tense.

"Elara?" Gerude's voice was almost unbelieving. The woman was a guest who had come to their house months ago, bearing a warning of a great danger to come. Back then, her words had seemed like distant prophecy. Now, it all seemed true.

"Follow me," Elara said with a commanding tone, giving them no time to question. "The royal army is getting closer. We must go now."

Without hesitation, Elara led them through the dark streets. Her pace was calm yet swift, as if she knew every corner of the city. But their journey halted when a group of heavily armed soldiers appeared from the shadows, surrounding them. The cold faces of the soldiers reflected an undeniable intent to kill.

"There's no escape," one soldier sneered. "Surrender yourselves, or die where you stand."

Ian gripped Gerude's arm, his body trembling. "What do we do?" he whispered frantically.

Before Gerude could answer, Elara stepped forward. Her face remained calm, but there was a change in the air around her—the atmosphere became cold and heavy. "Leave," she said quietly but with an underlying threat. "This is your last warning."

The soldiers laughed mockingly. "You think you can defeat us alone, witch?" one of them taunted.

Elara did not respond. Slowly, she raised her hand, and in an instant, a wave of energy shot from her palm, striking the soldiers with tremendous force. The sound of the impact echoed, followed by cries of pain. The soldiers were thrown in every direction, some collapsing unconscious. Only one soldier remained, trembling in fear. He dropped his weapon and fled without looking back.

"We need to go now," Elara said without looking at them. "This is just the beginning. They'll return with more forces."

Gerude took a deep breath, while Ian remained frozen in place, his eyes wide with disbelief at what had just happened. "How did you...?" he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper.

"There's no time for explanations," Elara interrupted, her eyes flashing with seriousness. "Trust me, I'm here to protect you."

Without wasting another moment, they continued their journey, leaving the ruined city behind. The sky slowly shifted from dark to the grim light of dawn, but the shadows of tragedy still loomed over their steps. Amidst the silence, Ian's mind was filled with an unrelenting question: who exactly was Elara, and why was she so determined to protect them?

As they reached the outskirts of the city, Elara stopped and turned to face Ian and Gerude. "Your family has a significant role to play in this fight," she said seriously. "But to understand everything, you need to survive. This journey has only just begun."

Ian stared at her, still confused and sorrowful. Yet, beneath all that, something new slowly began to emerge—a small flicker of hope that perhaps, in the midst of this destruction, there was still a way to fight. And he knew, he had to find the answers, not just for himself, but for his family who was gone, and for those still lost in the darkness.

**

The night sky hung like a thick black cloth, swallowing everything beneath it. The cold wind sliced through sharply, carrying the scent of wet earth and ruin. Gerude gripped her brother Ian's hand tighter. Their footprints were barely visible on the muddy path, while the silhouette of the burning city faded into the distance. There was no time to look back. They knew only one thing: there was no going home.

"Gerude," Ian's voice cracked through the wind's whisper, barely audible. "Can we really survive? Will any of this end?"

Gerude turned to him, her gaze meeting Ian's younger face, now filled with exhaustion and fear. "We have to. We don't have a choice." Her voice was firm, though it wavered slightly. "Our old world is gone, Ian. But we will find a way. I promise."

Ian lowered his head, biting his lip to hold back tears. The world he knew—the warmth of home, the soft voices of his parents—all of it had vanished in the blaze of fire and desperate screams. Now, all that remained was an uncertain path ahead.

**

After hours of walking, they finally arrived at the edge of a towering forest, its large trees casting dark shadows that seemed to swallow them whole. A woman stepped ahead of them, her posture alert and vigilant. Elara, their unexpected savior, stopped in the middle of a muddy trail.

"We'll rest here," she said without hesitation, though her eyes continued to scan the surroundings. "But stay alert. This forest isn't always friendly."

Gerude furrowed her brow, uncertain about the decision. "In a place like this? Aren't we more likely to be found?"

Elara looked at Gerude sharply, like a commander who wasn't about to entertain objections. "Trust me. If you keep moving without rest, your bodies will give out before long."

Gerude fell silent, yielding to the logic she couldn't deny. Together with Ian, she began gathering twigs to start a small fire. Elara crouched down, her hands hovering over a pile of wood, and with a whispered incantation, a small flame ignited. The dim light reflected on Ian's contemplative face.

**

Ian sat, hugging his knees, staring at the weak fire. Memories of the past flooded his mind—the smile of his father, the embrace of his mother, the laughter now only a painful echo. Beside him, Gerude was also silent, her eyes empty as she gazed at the fire.

"Ian," Gerude's voice finally broke the silence, soft yet resolute. "I know this is hard. I feel it too. But we can't give up now. We have to keep moving."

"But where, Gerude?" Ian looked at his sister, his eyes filled with confusion. "We don't even know what we're looking for."

Gerude sighed deeply, searching for the right words. "Maybe we don't know our goal yet. But I'm sure of one thing—if we stop now, everything will be for nothing. We have to believe there's something ahead. Something better."

Elara, who had been watching them from a distance, finally approached. She crouched in front of Ian, her sharp yet warm gaze meeting his doubts directly. "You're not alone," she said calmly, yet with authority. "Doubt is natural. But don't let it control you. This world is cruel, but as long as you trust each other, you will find your way."

Ian fell silent, processing Elara's words. There was something within him beginning to shift—a spark of courage rising from the shadow of his fear.

**

Under the starlit sky, the small fire became the only witness to their journey. Silence enveloped them, but it was no longer a silence filled with despair. Slowly, though the world around them was full of danger, a new conviction began to grow. They knew this journey was only just beginning, and whatever awaited them ahead, they would face it together.

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