At the stern border between the kingdoms of Kamen and Galin, the village of Onis stood tall, a natural fortress cradled by a ring of mountains. This was the home of the "Gelf," the legendary mercenaries who had fought alongside the royal army of Kamen for generations. They were known as the "Second Division"—the indispensable guardians of the throne.
Above all great warriors stood "Darius," a former king who had traded his crown for a blade. Since his beloved wife passed away fifteen years ago, he had dedicated his life to tempering his three children like steel: Lyken, the eldest and composed; Lyki, the second son full of resolve; and Lyna, the youngest daughter, the heart of their home. In war, he was a lion of the battlefield; in peace, a stern mentor. And today, he was pushing Lyki to his absolute limit.
"Clang! Clang!"
The sound of clashing steel echoed across the plains of the Chania Forest. Sparks flew as the massive axe repeatedly struck the sword's edge.
"Is this all you have, Lyki!" Darius's voice thundered, sounding like three lions roaring in unison.
"Kh..." The fifteen-year-old youth hissed through gritted teeth. His trembling hands struggled to brace against the colossal axe. It was said that it took three grown men just to lift this weapon off the ground, yet his father wielded it with a single hand as if it were weightless. Standing seven feet tall, Darius loomed like a mountain of stone, his eyes piercing his son with the ferocity of a predator.
"Hahaha! Pathetic! Even if you train for another twenty winters, don't hope to best me!" Darius laughed, delivering a single powerful shove that sent Lyki tumbling across the grass.
"You're cheating!" Lyki shouted, pushing his shaking body up. "With such a gap in strength, how could I ever win?"
"Now, now, Lyki... don't whimper like a loser before the war even starts," a mocking voice teased. It was Oscar, the twenty-eight-year-old commander of the cavalry. Despite his youth, his mastery of the saddle and spear was unmatched in the entire army.
As Lyki prepared to lung back in, a sweet, soft voice called from a distance. "Brother Lyki!"
Darius hesitated at the sound of Lyna's voice. Seeing an opening, Lyki struck immediately. But Darius, with experience forged in blood, simply stepped aside. With a swift strike of his palm to the back of his son's neck, the world turned black for Lyki in an instant.
In the deep darkness of sleep, Lyki found the mother he yearned for. The emerald-blue light of a dragon pendant glowed softly. She smiled and hummed a familiar lullaby... Nana... na... nanana...
He bolted awake, heart racing, to find ten-year-old Lyna sitting by his side. Lyki reached out to gently touch the dragon pendant around his sister's neck—the final treasure their mother had left them. "I dreamed of Mother..."
"Maybe she came to warn you..." Lyna replied, before quickly regaining her senses. "Oh! You have to get up, Brother! Uncle Monroe has arrived!"
"Really!" Lyki exclaimed, the sting in his neck forgotten in his excitement. Monroe was a wandering wizard who had traveled the land of Omeshis for over three thousand years. Every year, he would bring legends and mysteries to share with the children.
The two siblings hurried toward Onis. While most buildings were simple wooden huts, the inns and merchant houses were built of sturdy stone. Lyki hoped to reach the market square, but Lyna tugged firmly on his sleeve.
"Brother! We have to go back to the camp now! Father insisted that as soon as you woke up, you must report to the assembly hall!"
"But Uncle Monroe..."
"No buts! This is an urgent order!" Lyna insisted with a gaze so serious he dared not argue.
When they reached the camp, the atmosphere had shifted entirely. Soldiers stood in full armor, weapons drawn. The scent of impending war hung thick in the air. He spotted Reef, a close friend who had recently enlisted.
"What's happening, Reef?"
"I'm not sure. Commander Titania ordered a mobilization as if the enemy is at our gates. You should head inside, Lyki."
"Are you crazy? Father always said children shouldn't meddle in adult affairs!" Lyki hesitated.
"This time, you must know, Lyki," a deep, familiar voice interrupted.
"Brother Lyken!" Lyki called out in relief. His twenty-year-old brother, the graceful captain of the scouts, dismounted his horse. But Lyken's face was unusually grim.
"Father sent a secret message through me," Lyken said. "He says you are old enough now to learn the truth."
"Come on! Race you to the hall!" Lyken winked, trying to break the tension. "Loser cleans the stables tonight!"
Without another word, Lyken took off. Though confused, Lyki refused to lose. He ran after his brother with everything he had.