"You found me!" exclaimed Idris's father, as his 9-year-old son looked up at him with a bright smile, ending the game of hide and seek the father-son duo had been playing.
"You're getting good at this, my little chipmunk!" Arlich said, lifting Idris into his arms. Arlich was a handsome man with a strong build, facial hair, and striking scarlet red eyes, which shone brightly as he looked at his son.
Carrying Idris, he walked outside the house. "Carmilla! Where are you, my love? Where has your mother gone off to?" Arlich called.
"Mom went to do the laundry; she said she'd be back in a while," Idris replied eagerly. He loved playing these little games with his father whenever his mother was away. It was always fun, except for the occasional scoldings when Idris might trip or hurt himself. Since then, his mother hadn't been fond of the father-son duo's more reckless adventures.
As Idris looked at the horizon, he saw the sun setting, casting an orange glow over the sky. The sea breeze gently caressed his brown hair, and the sunlight gleamed in his scarlet red eyes—traits he had inherited from both parents: his father's red eyes and his mother Carmilla's brown hair.
"It's rare to see you two not stirring up trouble and enjoying some peace for once," a voice chimed in from behind.
"Ma!" Idris's cheeks spread wide into a grin.
"Took you long enough," Arlich teased.
"I was doing laundry when I heard that Miera had been blessed with a son. I had to check on her," Carmilla explained.
Carmilla looked a bit distressed and Arlich was quick to notice that. The two of them were childhood friends and had great chemistry. Arlich, after emerging victorious from the great war, had married Carmilla. Both of them knew each other like the back of their hands.
"Idris, go inside. I need to talk to your mother," Arlich said, gently placing him down.
"So.... you're going tomorrow?" Carmilla said with a sad expression.
"I don't know how long this peace will last," Arlich replied. "The army's ready. We'll head off to Vasmier in the morning.." Carmilla's eyes welled up with tears, and Arlich held her close as the sun set, foreshadowing the ominous times approaching their town. She knew that this might be the last time she will be in her beloved's company.
That night, the sea breeze swept across the plateau, rustling the vegetation as if nature itself was preparing for the calamity ahead. Idris slept soundly, unaware that his life was about to change forever.
In his dream, Idris found himself on a perilous journey, crossing a vast desert. His feet blistered, and his throat became parched. After what seemed like an eternity, he reached a patch of land in the desert filled with grass and blooming hydrangeas. At the base of an oak tree stood a stone slate. Idris approached cautiously and read the inscription:
"Oh wanderer yearning for victory, your journey has yet to begin! Take the oath upon the One's will and purge this world of the plague. For you are HER successor and HIS blood!"
Suddenly, Idris saw 11 stars and a moon descend from the sky. The stars lined up, and the moon hung above them. All 11 stars bowed to him, and Idris felt an urge to reach for the moon. As he stretched out his hand, a voice whispered in his ear, "Go forth, scion of Erdjh as your destiny is meant for the stars."
He awoke in a panic, drenched in sweat and gasping for air. It was morning. Carmilla was preparing breakfast and noticed Idris.
"Honey, are you alright?" Carmilla asked gently. "Did you have a bad dream?"
"It was strange, more than bad... but I can't seem to remember what it was," Idris replied, rubbing his eyes. Carmilla smiled,got up from the kitchen place and sat besides Idris.
"May the Mother Goddess Reinisia grace you with her protection," Carmilla whispered as she joined her hands in prayer. Idris felt a strange sense of calm and relaxation.
Idris knew what this day meant. His father was leaving with the army to fight. He might never see him again—just like Miera's husband, who never returned after the last plague attack. The plague was ruthless, dissolving both living and non-living things alike, leaving nothing but sorrow in its wake. It was a hive mind, its sole purpose being the destruction of everything in the greater universe.
According to prophecy, if the plague(denizens of the "Void") wasn't stopped, it would engulf all existence—even the celestial realms would not be spared. It was said to return everything to nothing. The Mother Goddess Reinisia and the Celestials had once slowed its advance, but the tragedy of Rieane had proved how relentless the void was.
Idris had never seen the plague, but his father had fought it many times. This time, though, it was different. News had spread in Drij that a massive plague was sweeping in from the north—something the realm of Anthropus hadn't seen since its inception. Arlich knew this would be the deadliest plague yet. It was likely the last time he would see his family.
I thought the Verspectum (the calamity of the highest order) was centuries away, but it's already begun Arlich thought, his scarlet eyes fixed on the rising sun. He was deeply worried about Carmilla and Idris.
Arlich stepped back into the house and saw Carmilla preparing his armor and sword. "Are you going, Daddy?" Idris asked, staring up at him, his face still marked with sleep.
Arlich nodded. Idris's face dropped, his eyes becoming teary. The boy wanted to cry, to hug his father tightly, but he stopped himself, trying to act brave. He wanted to say, Don't worry, I'll protect Mom while you're away, but his emotions held him back.
Arlich smiled, sitting beside Idris and gently patting his head. "Don't trouble Mommy while I'm gone, okay?"
Tears rolled down Idris's cheeks, but he remained silent, doing his best to hold them in. Arlich hugged him tightly. "Don't worry, your dad will be back soon after defeating the monsters. We'll play hide and seek as much as you want!"
Saying his final goodbyes to his family, Arlich set off for the castle, where the army awaited him. He mounted his horse and rode swiftly toward his destination, the wind of the north guiding him. He knew this would be the greatest battle of his life—the realm's survival depended on it.