TICONIC

Kael walked quickly to the kitchen, his steps heavy—but his heart heavier. There, in the corner near the window, sat Rana, hugging her knees, her shoulders trembling slightly. She was holding back tears, not wanting to seem weak, but Kael could see it—she was hurting.

"Rana…" Kael called softly.

Rana looked up, her eyes wet with unshed tears. "Kael… are you okay?"

Kael didn't answer right away. He just stared at her for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "None of us are really okay right now..."

He turned away, heading into his room, and quickly changed clothes. Kael grabbed his headband—a deep red cloth with the traditional pattern of their tribe—and tied it tightly around his forehead. In the corner, his bow with the metal-tipped arrows still hung on the wall. He reached for it, gripping it like it was the only solid thing left in this chaotic world.

As Kael returned to the main room, the door opened—Parker stepped in.

"I heard everything," Parker said, cutting straight to the point. His eyes no longer carried their usual playfulness.

Kael turned to him, unsurprised. "Of course you did... The world's getting too small for secrets."

Parker met Kael's eyes, serious. "He's your father… but he's also part of them. The invaders. Kael, you know we can't treat this like it's just about you anymore. This is bigger than that."

Kael nodded slowly. "I know. But I won't sit still either, Parker. We need to act."

Rana stood up, wiping the last of her tears away. "Whatever happens... we do this together."

Kael slung the quiver of arrows over his shoulder. His eyes were sharp, filled with resolve.

"If they're bringing war to our land," Kael said, "then we'll make sure they know exactly who they're dealing with."

Parker gave a small, proud smirk. "That's the Kael Terra I know."

And with that, they got ready. The night might stay quiet. But the storm… had already begun to rise.

Mira and Teren appeared at the doorway, their breaths quick, faces tense.

"We saw a few men in foreign uniforms patrolling the main road," Teren said urgently.

Kael turned to Rana, who was still frozen in the corner of the room.

"Rana, listen to me carefully," he said, calm but firm. "Go with Mira and Teren. Head to Uncle Elro's house. Lock this place from the inside and don't come back out until Parker or I come for you."

Rana wanted to argue, but Kael's eyes held a conviction she couldn't deny. She nodded silently, stepped forward, and gave him a quick hug.

"Be careful."

Once they were gone, Kael and Parker exchanged a glance.

"What's next?" Parker asked.

"We start by spying on the guards," Kael replied quietly. "If they're planning to gather the people, it'll be in the village square. We need to know when and who they're targeting."

They slipped out quietly through the back window, moving through the narrow village alleys that now felt strange and hostile. The heavy footsteps of Earth's soldiers echoed through the streets. Kael and Parker spotted a group of villagers being slowly herded toward the village center, guarded by men in sleek dark uniforms, weapons gleaming under the torches.

Kael whispered, "Look… they're gathering everyone. But why?"

Parker studied the soldiers carefully. "I'm not sure. But this isn't just a patrol. It looks like... a screening. Or maybe a major announcement."

Kael gripped his bow tighter. "Whatever it is, we need to find out. And before they realize we're still free… we start taking them down one by one."

Night slowly fell. Hidden in the shadows of homes and trees, Kael and Parker began to move… silent and determined, hunting to protect their homeland.

Suddenly, the sound of metal clanging echoed from the loudspeakers mounted across the village. A cold, commanding voice with a sharp foreign accent filled the air:

"Villagers, prepare yourselves. In one hour, you will be gathered and transported to our central base. This is part of a cooperation agreement between your kingdom and our forces. No harm will come… as long as you comply."

Kael and Parker, hiding in the shadows, froze and exchanged glances.

"They're serious," Kael whispered. "They're really going to take everyone."

Then, the true reason was revealed. A scientist from Earth's faction, wearing a white lab coat with a badge labeled "BIO-H 17", stepped up to a platform in the village square and began speaking:

"We are not just here for order... We've discovered that the bodies of TICONIC beings contain a unique liquid not found on any other planet. This substance can extend life, cure diseases, even enhance cognitive abilities. We call it: Etha-Vitae."

The villagers looked around in fear and confusion.

"We need donors. The extraction will be controlled... However, if we meet resistance, alternative methods will be used."

Parker clenched his fists. "That means… they're planning to drain people's life essence. They don't see us as living beings—they see us as resources."

Kael's jaw tightened. "It's not just about land or minerals anymore… It's our bodies, our very existence. This isn't cooperation—it's enslavement."

Parker nodded grimly. "We have to act. Now."

Kael bowed his head slightly, then said in a low voice, "Tonight… we free this village. We'll make them understand—TICONIC will never kneel."

And from the shadows, a rebellion began to burn.

A small explosion echoed in the distance—a device slammed into the ground, throwing up a cloud of dust and dirt. Kael and Parker instinctively turned, and Kael drew his bow, aiming it toward the source of the noise.

Through the thin haze, a figure emerged. Her long hair was tied back, and her military uniform was streaked with dust. It was Teresa.

"I'm not the enemy!" she shouted quickly, raising both hands. "This..." She held up a small, round object with damaged rotors. "...is a drone. I brought it down, but there are more in the sky. We need to find a safe place now—or you'll end up like the others."

Parker let out a sharp breath, still tense. "You almost got shot, Teresa. Don't just pop out like that."

Teresa stepped closer, her expression serious. "You're out of time. They've started sweeping the village. Anyone caught hiding or running will be labeled a threat."

Kael slowly lowered his bow. "Uncle Elro's house. My sister Rana is there, along with our friends. It's hidden enough. We can shelter there for now."

Teresa nodded quickly. "Then let's go. But we need to take the back trail—through the brush and past the livestock pens. Stay off the main roads. The drones are still circling."

The three moved quickly, ducking low and running through yards, narrow paths, and behind small houses. Kael glanced at the sky, spotting the dark, buzzing specks above—drones with heat sensors and surveillance cameras.

"If we make it to Elro's house safely," Parker said, his voice low and serious, "we need to start planning our resistance. We can't just keep hiding."

Kael replied firmly, eyes focused ahead, "We will fight. But this time... we'll be smart about it."

And with that, they vanished into the shadows of the trees, heading toward the last safe place they had—for now.