In the quiet village of Nasi, tucked away in the vast Kingdom of Emerald, two ancient families, the Mera Family and the Reme Family, lived with a special power. They weren't like ordinary people—they could create portals and travel between different worlds. Because of this, they were known as "The Dimension Walkers."
These families worked for King Simus, a ruler driven by his desire for riches and, one day, eternal life. Every year, during the grand festival called the "Blessing of Elmora," the families would open portals to magical worlds filled with treasure. But in the year 397, things changed. The king, becoming more greedy and impatient, decided to lead an expedition himself. This time, they weren't going to a magical world. They were heading to a place that supposedly had no magic but was full of gold. Instead of bringing a large army, King Simus took only a thousand soldiers.
Excitement filled the air as the soldiers marched through the portal. It felt like they were about to strike it rich.
But everything went wrong in just a few hours.
King Simus came stumbling back through the portal, pale and shaking. His right arm was gone, his clothes were torn, and blood dripped from countless wounds. Between gasps, he muttered a name that sent shivers through the air: "The Demon Lord."
News of the disaster spread like wildfire across the kingdom. The "Blessing of Elmora" had turned into a nightmare.
Five years later—Year 402.
The kingdom would never be the same again. King Simus stood atop his castle tower, observing the mass of people that had assembled below. His face was a mask of sadness and anger, both etched deep into his now-older features.
"Five years," the king began, his voice shaking with emotion. "Five years since that terrible day. Ten thousand of our best soldiers… lost. And why? Because of the treachery and lies of two families—families of witches that took us into ruin!"
The king's voice grew hoarse as he raised his left arm—the only one he still had. His right sleeve flapped in the wind.
"We trusted them," he yelled, his every word falling upon the crowd like a hail of stones. "We showed them love and kindness! And how did they return that love? With betrayal! They sacrificed our soldiers to the Demon Lord!"
The crowd was silent, hanging onto every angry word.
"But we will not fall," the king's voice boomed, now full of determination. "I have found something powerful, something not of this world-the Demon Lord's hair. With it, we've concocted a potion that can turn an ordinary man into a warrior as strong as a thousand!"
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd like ripples in a pond.
"With this power," the king furthered, "we shall rise again! Our kingdom will be stronger than ever! And we will rule over every world!"
The crowd burst into cheers. Hope, which had seemed so far away, fluttered back into their hearts.
But amidst cheers, one figure stood silent and still, in his dark brown coat, with a serene expression, observing the scene. As the king finished his speech, the figure turned and vanished, merging into the range of mountains away.
This figure's destination? The Mountain of Eyes, a place shunned by all. Legends had it that it was cursed by the god Elmora, and those few who ventured there never returned.
But this figure had no fear, climbing up through the mountain's jagged terrain until they reached a small, weathered wooden house.
Behind the house, there was a boy waving his arms in strange motions. Upon noticing this figure, he stopped. "Natsuo!" the figure called out, "I'm back."
The boy, Natsuo, smiled and hastened inside. As the figure took their coat off, it became clear it wasn't a man, but a young girl. Her dark pink-colored hair cascaded just past her shoulders, while her deep green eyes shined bright with a strange beauty in them.
Natsuo looked at her curiously. "Hey, Minami. Something happen?"
With a sigh, Minami collapsed into a chair. "Yeah… I was in town, and there was a huge crowd at the castle."
Natsuo snorted. "Let me guess-the king gave another one of his speeches?
Minami nodded, looking tired. "Same old speech. But it gets me every time. He's always blaming our family. Today, he called us witches again, said we betrayed the kingdom and served the Demon Lord."
Natsuo's face tightened, and he clenched his fists. "So now we're traitors? Typical. But we know the truth. He's lying. One day, he's going to regret every word."
Minami gave a weak smile. "I know you're right… but when is that day coming?"
"Soon," Natsuo said confidently. "You know my gut-it's never wrong!"
Minami snickered softly. "Well, I can't take your portal-making skills into consideration, but at least your instincts… those, I do."
Natsuo puffed up his chest, feigning offense. "Hey! Now, I can make portals, you know!"
"Yeah," Minami teased, "but they still blow up the second they open."
Natsuo huffed, crossing his arms. "Not anymore! I've been practicing, and tonight I'll show you."
Minami raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why not show me right now?"
Before Natsuo could reply, a knock came at the door. Minami stood up and opened it, her face lighting up in surprise. "Uncle Kazuki!"
Standing in the doorway was a middle-aged man with kind eyes. Minami hugged him tightly.
Smiling warmly, Kazuki Hoshino was the best friend of Minami's father and advisor to the king.
Natsuo grinned. "Uncle Kazuki! The king gave the same old speech again, didn't he?"
Kazuki let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. "I know. I'm the king's advisor, after all. But how do you know it? Did one of you go into town?"
Minami said, shifting nervously, "I did. I was just out shopping."
Kazuki's expression turned serious. "I told you both to stay on the mountain. If you need something, tell me. I'll get it."
"You can't always know what we need," Minami replied, playfully.
Kazuki sighed, but his voice turned firm. "But what if someone saw you? The kingdom is filled with spies now. And they've all taken that potion… the one from the king's speech."
Minami crossed har arms. "You mean the one that makes people as strong as a thousand men? Is that even real? I thought it was just the king making things up like always."
Kazuki shook his head. "Oh It's real. Worse than you think. The potion doesn't just make them strong—it sharpens their senses. Their sight, hearing, smell, everything. They could have easily spotted you. You need to be more careful."
Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the air behind Kazuki. "There won't be a next time."
Kazuki turned, his face going pale as the Night Commander stepped forward.
"You've betrayed the kingdom, Kazuki Hoshino," the commander said icily. "By order of the king, you are sentenced to death for treason. Guards, arrest them all!"