chapter 1

A crimson battlefield stretched endlessly under a sky choked with thick, swirling smoke. The air reeked of blood, burnt flesh, and the metallic tang of steel. Corpses of monstrous beasts and fallen warriors littered the ground, their lifeless eyes staring into the abyss. The distant cries of the dying mixed with the roar of flames consuming the wreckage of war.

Beyond the blood-soaked horizon, the battle still raged. The sky trembled with the howls of winged creatures, their shrieks piercing through the chaos like death's symphony.

Amidst the carnage, a lone figure stood, his dark purple hair matted with sweat and dirt. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling from exhaustion, yet his blue eyes burned with defiance.

A sea of enemies closed in on him, their weapons raised, their eyes filled with murderous intent. The ground shook under their charge, a deafening stampede of war cries and snarls filling the air.

But the boy did not flinch.

His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword. A flicker of black fire sparked at the edge of the blade, twisting and writhing like a living shadow. The heat licked at his skin, yet he did not waver. Slowly, he took his stance—feet grounded, blade poised, eyes locked onto the coming storm.

And then—

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

A blaring alarm shattered the battlefield.

With a sharp gasp, the boy jolted upright, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His forehead was damp with sweat, his hands clutching at the sheets as if expecting to find his sword still in his grip. But instead of the battlefield's stench of blood and fire, he was met with the familiar scent of books and fresh morning air.

The battlefield was gone.

Reality settled in as he reached out and slammed the alarm clock off. Silence filled the room, save for his heavy breathing. He ran a hand through his dark purple hair, frustration flickering in his golden eyes.

"Why do I keep seeing this dream again and again...?" he muttered to himself.

His room was a typical teenager, yet distinctly his. Wooden bookshelves lined the walls, filled to the brim with everything from textbooks to fantasy novels. A study desk sat near the window, papers and neatly arranged stationery giving away his studious nature. His uniform hung over a chair, crisp and ready for another school day. Despite the stacks of books and notes, the room was surprisingly tidy—a testament to his disciplined habits as a top student.

He exhaled, shaking off the remnants of the dream. It felt so real, yet it was nothing more than a recurring nightmare. Or at least, that's what he told himself.

A voice called out from downstairs, breaking his thoughts. "Lukas! Hurry up and come down for breakfast! You're late for your hill-climbing trip!"

Lukas's eyes widened in alarm. "Oh crap!" he yelped, springing out of bed. Panic surged through him as he grabbed his uniform, throwing it on hastily before rushing to the bathroom. He splashed cold water onto his face, barely registering the chill as he rinsed off the remnants of sleep.

Still fastening his buttons, he bolted down the stairs and into the kitchen. His uncle, a man in his early thirties with thinning hair and rectangular glasses perched on his nose, stood by the stove, setting down a plate of toast, omelette, and bacon.

"You almost overslept again," his uncle remarked, smirking as he sat down at the table.

Lukas plopped into his seat, still catching his breath. "I know, I know..." he mumbled, reaching for his toast.

His uncle took a sip of his coffee and glanced at Lukas. "So, how was the test? Let me guess—A+ again?"

Lukas nodded while continuing to eat hurriedly.

His uncle chuckled, a warm smile on his face. "You still have a bit of time. Go slow. Here, drink this before you go." He passed Lukas a glass of orange juice.

Lukas took the glass and drank, then looked down for a moment. "You know... sometimes I think about how different things could have been."

His gaze turned distant as his thoughts drifted. His parents had died in that car crash... and everyone had called it a miracle that he survived. After that, his father's younger brother—his uncle—had taken him in. He worked as a businessman in a company, balancing his career while making time for Lukas. For the past six years, they had lived together, and though his uncle was technically his guardian, he had always felt more like a parent.

They argued over the smallest things—Lukas staying up too late reading, his uncle forgetting to take care of himself—but they always settled things easily. Still, the fact that his uncle was single worried Lukas. He wished his uncle would focus on his own happiness, but every time he brought it up, he would just laugh it off. Even so, no matter how much they bickered, Lukas knew one thing for sure.

His uncle wasn't just his guardian—he was his family.

His uncle's expression softened, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he reached out and ruffled Lukas's hair, offering silent reassurance.

The two of them resumed their breakfast, the warm scent of eggs and crispy bacon filling the air as the morning sunlight streamed through the window.

Lukas, after finishing his meal, dashed out of the kitchen, grabbing his blazer and bag. He hurriedly put on his shoes while calling out, "Bye, Uncle!" before sprinting toward the door. His uncle waved a hand in farewell, chuckling. "Take care! Don't be late!" he called after him as Lukas disappeared outside.

Lukas reached his school, a large campus with towering buildings painted in shades of white and blue. The schoolyard buzzed with energy as students rushed around, some chatting excitedly, others dragging their feet, still half-asleep. The morning air carried the scent of damp earth and fresh grass, and the distant hum of teachers preparing for the day echoed through the hallways. In front of the school stood several buses, lined up for departure, their engines humming as students assembled near them.

Lukas spotted a group of students waving in his direction. "Lukas! Over here!" a boy with glasses called out, standing alongside three others.

Noticing them, Lukas dashed toward his friends.

"You somehow made it, mister latecomer. I actually thought you wouldn't show up," a girl in the group teased, crossing her arms with a smirk.

"Sorry for being late, guys," Lukas said with a sheepish grin, brushing his hair back, unintentionally making himself look like a total fool.

"Let's get in. We can chat inside," another boy suggested as they boarded the bus.

The teacher at the front did a headcount, and soon the bus rumbled to life, rolling out of the school gates.

After a few hours, the bus reached the foot of a towering hill, nearly a kilometer tall. A small tourist center sat at its base, a modest building surrounded by benches and a few vending machines. The air smelled of damp earth and pine, carrying a faint hint of roasted snacks from a nearby food stall. There weren't many people around, just a handful of travelers preparing for their hike. The area had a peaceful, quiet charm, despite the distant chatter of students stretching their legs.

The teacher stood at the front and clapped his hands. "Listen up! This will take three hours to reach the top. There are no shops along the way, so if you need water or snacks, get them now."

Upon hearing this, students rushed toward the building, eager to grab supplies. Lukas, however, stayed put, his gaze drawn to the sky. A gentle breeze had picked up, rustling the trees. The air felt heavier, and dark clouds were beginning to gather. He couldn't take his eyes off them.

"Lukas! Come on, let's grab something!" Alex called.

"I'm fine," Lukas replied, still staring upward. Something about the shifting clouds unsettled him.

Three hours later, they finally reached the top. Many students rushed to the edge, eager to take in the breathtaking view, while others, exhausted, collapsed onto a patch of grass as if they had no strength left.

Alex beamed, turning to Lukas. "Lukas, look! It feels like we're looking down on Earth from heaven!"

But Lukas wasn't looking down. His worried eyes remained fixed on the sky above.

Alex, noticing Lukas's uneasy expression, followed his gaze upward. His eyes widened as he saw the dark clouds had thickened, swirling ominously overhead. Before he could comment, a loud siren blared from below, cutting through the air like a warning bell.

"Attention! A heavy storm is approaching! All students must descend immediately!" The announcement echoed up the hill, urging them to act fast.

Lukas turned to Alex; his voice urgent. "I think we should get down as fast as possible."

"I'm with you on this one," Alex agreed without hesitation.

The teacher, having heard the announcement, quickly took control. "Everyone, form a line and move down in an orderly fashion! No running!" he commanded, though he noticed Lukas and Alex had already taken off, dashing ahead of the group. "You two! Be careful!" he called after them, but the warning was lost in the chaos.

A light drizzle began, but within moments, the sky unleashed a torrential downpour. The rain pounded the ground with such force it felt like small stones pelting against their skin. Visibility dropped rapidly—students couldn't see more than a few meters ahead. The dark clouds had swallowed the sunlight, making it feel like night had fallen in an instant. Thunder roared above, shaking the air, and streaks of lightning split the sky. The wind howled like a wild beast, bending trees dangerously, their branches snapping under the pressure.

Lukas and Alex ran as fast as they could, their uniforms soaked through, clinging to their skin. Cold water dripped from their hair, and their shoes slipped against the muddy ground. Lukas's face was tense, his golden eyes flicking between the treacherous path and the stormy sky. Fear gnawed at his gut, but he pushed forward. Alex, beside him, had his arms slightly raised for balance, his breaths coming in frantic gasps.

Then, amidst the chaos, Lukas suddenly halted. His heart pounded not just from exertion but from something else—a voice. A deep, eerie whisper echoed through his mind.

"Return..."

A chill crawled down his spine. His wide eyes darted around, searching for the source, but there was nothing. Just the storm.

"Lukas! What are you doing?! We need to hurry! It's not safe here!" Alex shouted over the wind, grabbing Lukas's wrist and trying to pull him along.

Lukas barely registered his words. His breath hitched as the voice returned, clearer this time.

"Hurry... or someone will die."

His body tensed. He turned to Alex, his expression filled with both fear and determination. "Did you hear that?"

Alex looked at him in confusion. "Hear what?!"

"A voice... It said someone is in danger. I need to go back!"

"What?! Are you crazy?! That was just thunder! We need to—"

But Lukas was already breaking free from Alex's grip. His drenched blazer flared as he spun around, sprinting back toward the peak. A bolt of lightning struck a tree nearby, the deafening crack sending vibrations through the ground.

"LUKAS! STOP!" Alex screamed, panic overtaking his voice. But Lukas didn't stop.

"Take left."

Lukas froze. A voice—clear, firm, and unmistakable—echoed in his mind. He turned his head sharply. There was no one there, yet an unexplainable instinct urged him to listen.

Without hesitation, he veered off the path, his feet carrying him toward the trees. As he moved, he soon stumbled upon a boy from his school. The student had wandered away from the main route and had twisted his ankle. Though swollen, the injury wasn't too severe to walk on.

"Come on, I got you," Lukas said, letting the boy lean on him. With careful steps, he guided him back to the main trail. Once there, Lukas gave him a reassuring nod. "Follow this route, and you'll reach the base safely. Don't stop until you get there."

The boy nodded, thanking him before limping toward safety.

Just as Lukas turned to rejoin the others, the voice spoke again.

"Go to the top."

A strange pull overtook him, an unshakable certainty pressing against his mind. Without questioning it, Lukas dashed forward, his feet carrying him faster than before. As he approached a cliffside, his breath caught in his throat—a girl was hanging from the edge, her fingers barely gripping the rocky surface.

Lukas lunged forward, grabbing her arms and pulling her up with all his strength. She gasped, collapsing onto the ground beside him.

"Go down the way I came," Lukas instructed quickly. "It's the shortest way back to the base."

She looked at him, hesitating for only a moment before nodding and sprinting away.

Lukas, exhausted from the sudden rescues, sat down, gasping for breath. The rain, which had started as a light drizzle, now slowed to a mist, clearing the view ahead. He wiped his forehead, his mind racing.

"That voice... How did it know where they were?"

He barely had time to think before the ground beneath him gave way.

The cliff cracked, and before Lukas could react, he was falling. His hands shot out instinctively, gripping the rocky edge just in time.

His heart pounded. His legs dangled in the open air, nothing but a deep void beneath him. He didn't know how far down the drop went, but it felt endless.

"Am I... going to die?"

Memories flashed through his mind—his uncle, his friends, the life he had built. Was this really how it ended?

"Lukas!"

His eyes widened. That voice wasn't the mysterious one—it was Alex.

"Alex! I'm here!" Lukas yelled; his voice raw with desperation.

Alex appeared above him, skidding to a halt at the cliff's edge. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached down, grasping Lukas's wrist tightly.

"Hold on, I got you!" Alex gritted his teeth, pulling with all his might.

Just then, the voice returned.

"If he pulls, the ground will collapse."

Lukas stiffened. He looked up at Alex, then down at the cracks spreading across the cliff's surface. The loose dirt and stone beneath Alex's knees shifted slightly.

"If he puts any more tension on the ground, it'll break... and we'll both fall."

Fear gripped Lukas's chest. He looked down again, the pit below feeling darker, deeper.

The voice spoke again, its tone eerily calm. "One of you must fall. The ground can't hold both of you. The rescue squad is coming in a few minutes. You have two choices. Push him down and live... or let go and die."

Lukas's breath hitched. His fingers trembled against the rough stone. His body screamed at him to survive.

But at what cost?

Alex tightened his grip. "I'm not letting go."

Lukas swallowed hard, his mind racing as the ground beneath Alex started to crumble. He had to decide—now.

Lukas looked up at Alex, his grip slipping. He took a deep breath. "You were a great friend Alex."

Before Alex could react, Lukas pried himself free from his grasp and fell.

As he plummeted, the wind roared in his ears, but his thoughts were even louder. Did I make the right choice? His uncle's face flashed in his mind. Will he be okay when he hears about me? What will he do once I'm gone?

Amidst his racing thoughts, a familiar voice echoed through the void.

"You impressed me, kid."