I couldn't stop staring at the castle in the horizon. It was so big and beautiful, with tall towers and shining walls. I had never been closer than the fields that surrounded our village, but I could imagine all the magic and wonder that must be waiting inside.
"Mommy, can we go to the castle?" I asked, tugging on Tsumugi's hand as we walked through the fields. "Please, please, please?"
Tsumugi smiled and ruffled my black hair. "Maybe one day, Akari," she said. "But for now, we have work to do."
I pouted, but I knew better than to argue with my mother. She was the strongest person I knew, with her powerful water magic and her kind heart. She was always helping the other peasants in our village, watering the fields and tending to the animals. And even though she was always busy, she always had time for me and my brother, Hikari.
my brother was older than me, and he didn't seem to care about the castle or the nobles who sometimes passed through our village. But I was different. I wanted to see everything, to know everything. I was determined to find a way to the castle, no matter what.
One day, as I trailed my brother Hikari covertly, I overheard a conversation between him and a group of nobles that left me aghast. My mother had warned me to steer clear of such individuals, and their haughty demeanors and opulent attire only served to confirm her counsel.
"So, today you'll display some of your destructive power for us, yes?" The blond-haired leader of the group, Audo, leered at Hikari with contempt. The smell of sweat and perfume emanating from the nobles was overwhelming
"Er, as I've mentioned before, I'm not permitted to use my power," Hikari replied, looking uneasy.
"You'd best not hide that power for much longer, or we'll grow bored and cast you out of our group," Audo jeered. "Haha."
"Audo, no one said anything about expelling him from the team. Don't worry, Hikari. We'll wait for the appropriate moment to witness your power. Not today," a girl with light blue hair and glasses interjected. "But, you know, you ought to change...those," she gestured to Hikari's garments with a revolted expression.
"I'd like to, but I just dress like peasants so my proud father won't find out about my visits here. He despises it when I go near any village. He doesn't want me to leave Antochitoria," Hikari lied, fidgeting with his hands.
"Oh, that explains it. Alright, we need to ride some giant ants before the sun sets," the girl with glasses nodded.
"Wait...I hear something... Who's hiding in the bushes? Show yourself," a third boy, with short silver hair and piercing green eyes, called out.
At that moment, I knew I was in trouble. I tried to remain concealed for a little longer, but it was futile. I had to come out. As I emerged from the bushes, I saw the shock and horror on my brother's face.
"Aww, don't tell me. Is that a pig you dared to sneak upon us?" The blond boy chuckled.
"We're going to have a lot of fun thanks to you. Hey, how about we feed her to the ants?" The green-eyed boy suggested.
I started trembling, wondering if this was all a nightmare. But it was taking too long for me to wake up. I silently prayed for someone to rescue me.
"Hey, we can just send her back. She's just a kid," Hikari spoke up.
"You mean a piglet, right Hikari? Hey, how about you spit on her and send her back to her dirty pond, and we'll let her go," the blond boy sneered.
"Yeah, prove your loyalty to your own kind, Hikari," the girl with glasses added.
I held my breath, waiting to see what my brother would do. Part of me hoped that he would stand up for me. But another part of me was terrified of what might happen if he chose them over me.
"Well... " Hikari turned toward me and started approaching. He suddenly hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, Akari. Big bro would never do something like that, even if it's just for show. "
"Hey, what are you doing? Are you actually touching that filthy thing, Hikari!?" The blue-haired girl questioned in disgust.
My brother turned to them and screamed, "AAH, I don't care anymore. Screw all of you. She's not a pig, she's my sister. And yes, we are both peasants."
"What? That doesn't make any sense. You have white hair, so you must be a noble, right? Hikari, you can't be a peasant," the girl with glasses asked in confusion.
"I can't even use magic. I was lying. Let's go home, Akari," Hikari said.
"Hold on, you're telling us that you're not only a peasant, but also a powerless, filthy, disgusting liar who's pretending to be a noble and walking around freely? We can't just allow that. You're coming with us," Audo said, swiping a droplet of blood and casting earth magic. The ground began to crack and an earth golem emerged.
Hikari stood in front of me, taking a direct hit from the golem and spitting blood. Despite his injury, he tried to protect me, standing his ground and trying to fight back.
But I couldn't just stand there and watch my brother get hurt. The anger and fear that had been building up inside of me finally reached a boiling point. I couldn't let these nobles bully and hurt my family any longer.
I stepped forward and summoned my own magic, unleashing a gust of wind that knocked the golem back and sent the nobles flying. I stood there, panting and shaking, but also feeling a sense of empowerment and determination.
We turned to the nobles, who were now groaning and trying to pick themselves up.
"You'll regret crossing us, peasants," Audo spat, before running off with the others.
"Come on, let's go home. Mom and Dad are probably worried sick," Hikari said, putting an arm around my shoulder.
We walked home, with me still trying to process everything that had happened
I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets and mysteries lay in store for us. But for now, I was just glad to have my brother by my side and to have stood up for what was right.
As we walked home together, the castle in the horizon seemed a little closer, and a little less out of reach. One day, I would find a way to get there. And when I did, I would be ready for anything.