In a world ruled by kings, and kings ruled by gods, one day a beast was born—the mother of all beasts. It was an Xalvathar (The Soul Weaver). The beast began its reign, taking kingdom after kingdom, rising to dominance. But one kingdom closed its gates, fortifying its defenses and training the people in the ways of magic. Magic in this kingdom was divided into ranks. The highest rank was SS, the lowest E.
Xalvathar, though an S-rank creature, pushed against them. But the cost was steep—it took many lives before the Xalvathar withdrew and hid in the shadows, waiting to regain full power. The kingdom was victorious, but at great loss. Many soldiers fell, and the cries of women mourning their husbands and sons echoed through the land.
In one such household, a woman held her children close. Zanele, her daughter, looked up at her mother with innocent eyes and asked, "Mommy, where is Daddy?"
Her mother, Thandeka, blinked back tears and whispered, "Daddy's gone to the heavens."
Takumi, the son, looked up, his young face filled with curiosity. "Is Dad up in the sky?"
Thandeka nodded, her voice cracking, "Yes, he's that star... He's looking at you right now."
As her words hung in the air, tears began to fall from her eyes. She wiped them away quickly, trying to stay strong for her children.
Ten years passed, and the children grew. Takumi, now 13, and Zanele, now 12, were no longer the little children who had once played in the safety of their home. They had been training, not in a traditional sense, but through playful races and exercises. Their mother had always refused to allow them to formally train, fearing the weight of the world would fall upon their young shoulders too soon. Yet, they were determined. Their bond was tight, and they relied on each other for strength.
One afternoon, they raced in the quiet fields behind their house, the sun casting long shadows as their feet kicked up dirt and grass. Takumi surged ahead with surprising speed, but Zanele reached the finish line first. However, as she turned around, she noticed two guards standing at the edge of the field. Takumi soon joined her side, and they both walked toward the house.
The two guards followed them inside, their faces expressionless but alert. Takumi, still catching his breath, glanced at them. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice steady despite the curiosity bubbling inside.
One of the guards, who introduced himself as X, spoke first. "We are the personal guards of the king. I am X, and this is Z."
Thandeka, who had been listening from the doorway, looked at the guards with a wary expression. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice firm but calm.
X stepped forward, his tone respectful yet urgent. "We come with news. Your husband, Takeshi Takahashi, protected this kingdom for years, and now it's time for his children to do the same."
Thandeka's eyes darkened. "What about him?" she asked sharply, her grief still fresh in her heart.
Z, the second guard, spoke up. "Takeshi was a great warrior, but his bloodline is even more powerful. We need Zanele and Takumi to join the ranks. The kingdom needs them now."
"No," Thandeka said instantly, her voice resolute. "Not now. Not ever."
X's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't think you have a choice," he said softly. "The kingdom needs them, and if you refuse, there will be consequences."
Thandeka's gaze hardened. "I don't care about your threats. My children will not be pawns in your game."
Z stepped forward, his voice low but firm. "You misunderstand. It's not just about the kingdom. It's about the blood they carry. They have a power in their veins, a strength beyond what you can imagine."
Zanele's voice cut through the tension. "What do you need us for? We're just kids. Can't you wait until we're older?" Her words were filled with frustration, a mix of fear and defiance.
X's expression remained unchanged. "We cannot afford to wait. Your blood makes you strong—strong enough to fight the Xalvathar. Do you know why we won the great Xalvathar war? Because of your father. It is because of him that we're still here. His strength was passed down, and now it's yours."
Thandeka's eyes widened as the weight of the words sank in. "My husband?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "He... He fought them?"
"Yes," X confirmed. "And now, we need his children to do the same. The Xalvathar will return, and we must be ready."
Takumi, who had been silent until now, looked at his mother with determination. "If we do this... will we protect everyone? Will we stop them from coming back?"
Thandeka looked at her son, her heart torn. She had sworn to protect them, to keep them safe from the pain and loss she had endured. But she knew deep down that they were the only hope the kingdom had. She took a deep breath and turned to the guards. "I don't want this life for them. But if they must do it, then they will do it on their terms."
X nodded. "Then the choice is theirs. We will train them, and when the time comes, they will be ready."
Zanele, still unsure but resolute, stepped forward. "We will fight. For our father. For our kingdom."
Takumi nodded silently, his determination matching his sister's. They were no longer just children—they were the heirs of a great legacy. A legacy that had been forged in blood and sacrifice.
As the guards left, Thandeka looked at her children, her heart heavy with the weight of the future. The world was changing, and the path ahead would not be easy. But one thing was certain: she would protect them, no matter the cost.
As the guards left, the family sat in silence, absorbing the weight of the decision looming over them. The legacy of their father, Takeshi Takahashi, was now calling on Takumi and Zanele in a way they could never have imagined.
Far beyond the kingdom, in the depths of darkness, a force stirred. Xalvathar, the Soul Weaver, sensed a rise in his power. A sinister grin spread across his face.
"My powers are returning," Xalvathar whispered, his voice echoing through the shadows.
With a flick of his hand, he summoned five thousand creatures—each one unique and monstrous, bred for battle. At their forefront stood a towering figure: a dragon-like humanoid, blazing with fierce determination and strength, ready to lead the army against the kingdom.
The invasion was about to begin.