The Call That Broke the Crowd
"Sir… wait!"
The single voice cut through the noise of marching boots and murmuring soldiers.
Heads turned. The crowd shifted. Even the dust in the air seemed to pause.
Kabeer stood there — breath slightly shaking, eyes fixed on the commander as though this moment carried the weight of his entire life.
The commander stopped mid-stride.
His cloak swayed once before settling against his uniform, and his young daughter, Minnie, blinked up at her father, confused by the sudden halt.
Slowly, the commander turned. His gaze met the boy's.
"About your father, kid?" he asked softly, a tired smile forming on his lips.
Kabeer swallowed. "Yes sir. About my father."
For a heartbeat, the entire street felt silent.
The commander's expression shifted — from authority to something far more human. He crouched down, placing his daughter gently onto the ground.
"It's been two years," he began, voice low. "Two years since he went missing. He was my friend… and I searched. I truly did. But—"
His jaw clenched.
"All of my efforts resulted in nothing."
Pain flickered in the commander's eyes — old pain, heavy, unresolved. Kabeer saw it clearly.
For the first time, he understood that even the strongest man in the city carried wounds he couldn't show.
Minnie tugged at her father's sleeve. "Papa… will you come home early today?"
He forced a smile. "Minnie, I might be late for dinner. But I promise, I will come home tonight. Go play with your friends for now, okay?"
"Okay, papa!" she chirped and ran straight toward Kabeer, grabbing his hand with childlike trust.
The commander stepped back, raised his voice, and the mask of authority returned.
"Troops! Retreat toward the Head Office. Move!"
A synchronized thunder of boots followed.
Kabeer, however, didn't move.
He stood frozen, watching the man march away — his ideal, his inspiration, the one person he believed could never falter.
One day, he thought, I'll be strong like him. Strong enough not to break.
The commander glanced back once.
Kabeer's bright eyes glared at him — not with anger, but with fierce admiration.
---
Evening — The Warmth of Home
A gentle melody hummed through a small house at the end of the lane.
Sylphiate, wearing a blue apron slightly stained with spices, stirred a pot on the stove. The fragrance of warm broth and herbs filled the kitchen. Her soft humming made the entire home feel alive.
Outside, two young voices argued in high-pitched, adorable chaos.
"Kabeer! Stop calling me that!" Arav complained.
"No way," Kabeer grinned. "Your long hair looks like a princess's! You're Mama's cute little girl!"
"I'm not a girl!"
Sylphiate laughed quietly to herself and walked out, wiping her wet hands on the apron.
The moment Arav spotted her, he bolted toward her like a startled kitten.
"Mama! Kabeer is teasing me! He called me a cute princess! Please cut my long hair! Please!"
Sylphiate's heart melted.
She knelt, wrapped her arms around Arav, and gently brushed his soft hair.
"My little gem," she whispered, "don't worry about him. And don't ever cut your hair… they hold the last memory of your beloved father."
Her voice trembled at the end.
Arav looked up.
Her eyes had gone distant — watery yet strong, as though she refused to let tears fall in front of her sons.
Kabeer quickly hugged her from behind.
"If they're your little gems," he said dramatically, "then what about me?"
A soft voice answered from down the street.
"Then what am I, Mother?"
They turned.
A girl stood there — uniform dusty, left arm wrapped in bandages, the insignia of Triamath emblazoned on her sleeve.
Her steps were tired, but her smile was gentle.
"Elda!" Kabeer gasped, eyes lighting up with pure joy.
"You're back from the mission!"
Elda nodded, her tired smile widening.
"I'm home… finally."
---
Dinner — A Night of Laughter
The dining table glowed under warm lantern light.
Plates filled with food steamed softly, and for the first time in weeks, the home felt whole.
Elda sat beside Sylphiate, fidgeting with her fingers.
Arav and Kabeer kept exchanging glances — they sensed something was off.
Finally, Elda took a deep breath.
"Mother," she said quietly, cheeks turning pink.
"I… I turned nineteen this year…"
Sylphiate's eyes sparkled instantly. "Yes, yes, go on!"
"And… I want to marry a boy I love."
The room froze.
Then Sylphiate gasped so loud the lantern flickered.
"MARRY A BOY?! Oh Gods! I'm going to be a granny! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
"M-Mother!" Elda panicked, face red as fire. "It's not like I'm becoming a mother! I just said marry!!"
Arav and Kabeer burst into laughter, nearly choking on their food.
"What are you both laughing at?!" Elda shouted, flustered and clumsy.
It was warmth.
A simple warmth only families possessed.
A moment no one knew would become a memory.
But happiness never lasted long in their world.
Not here.
Not on the edge of a city that stood between mankind and the beasts.
---
The Sound That Shattered Peace
CRRACKK!
The table shook.
RMBLEEEE—
The ground trembled violently, rattling plates and knocking cups over.
Kabeer caught Arav as he stumbled.
"What was that…?" Arav whispered, voice trembling.
Outside, screams erupted.
People shouting.
Running.
Begging.
Sylphiate stood instantly, panic rising in her chest.
Elda grabbed her weapon — instincts sharp.
Then—
KRSHHH!
A structure somewhere nearby collapsed, echoing like thunder.
Then came a trembling growling roar from a distant.
"ROAAARRRRR"
The warm home suddenly felt small, fragile, breakable.
Arav's heart pounded.
He clung to his brother's hand.
Is this… danger?
Is something coming for us?
Is today the day everything changes?
No one answered.
Because no one knew.
But the night had already begun unraveling…
And destiny was stepping through the cracks.
---
End of Chapter 2 — To Be Continued