The moment they turned sixteen, the journey began.
Two boys stepped onto the open road, leaving behind everything familiar. After days of travel, their tired feet finally carried them into a small village. The sight of it alone made
their stomachs growl. Real food at last.
As they ate, warmth slowly returned to their bodies until the sound of splintering wood
shattered the moment.
Men stormed in, kicking over tables and smashing chairs as if the place meant nothing.
Horus asked nearby boy what was going on.
"They're members of the BODY," the boy whispered. "The owner couldn't pay this month's fee."
Horus watched as the men finished their work. When they were done, they beat the owner without mercy and left him crumpled on the floor, groaning in pain.
Horus and his friend left the place in silence. As they wandered through the village, a scream cut through the air. The same men had found another victim a woman, beaten and crushed for the very same reason.
Horus stopped.
He couldn't look away. He couldn't walk past it.
Before his friend could stop him, Horus rushed forward and attacked them with his bare hands. His fist connected, and one man fell with a single blow. The others stepped back, fear flickering in their eyes—only for it to turn into laughter.
"Just kids," one of them said.
They surrounded the boys from every side. Only then did Horus remember their weapons were still in the forest. There was no turning back now. They fought with nothing but their fists, striking down several members of the BODY.
Then, everything went black. Horus and his friend collapsed to the ground.
When they opened their eyes, iron bars greeted them.
They had been captured.
Thrown into a small prison cell, Horus slowly looked around. In the dim light, he noticed
someone else inside—a girl, locked in chains, watching them quietly.