My lungs burned as I stumbled through the woods, each step a desperate attempt at moving forward. Branches clawed at my arms and legs, scratching, tearing, as if the forest itself wanted to hold me back.
I couldn't feel my feet anymore, they were numb, heavy, dragging over roots and rocks that seemed to rise out of nowhere to trip me.
My breaths came in ragged gasps, the cold night air searing down my throat, and every beat of my heart slammed in my chest like a hammer, each pulse louder than the last.
I have to get there, I have to save them.
Stopping wasn't an option.
The forest seemed endless, stretching out like a maze.
I forced myself forward, barely noticing the sting of scrapes on my arms, the ache in my legs. Each breath tore through my chest, but I bit down against the pain.
I couldn't afford to feel it, to let anything slow me down. My fingers curled tightly, nails digging into my palms. I was almost there. Just a little further, and I would reach them. I had to reach them.
A glint of light flashed up ahead, barely visible through the thick branches. I pushed forward, feeling a surge of hope swell in my chest, just as my foot caught on something.
I stumbled, the ground lurching up to meet me as I tumbled down, hands reaching out in a futile attempt to stop myself.
My body hit the edge of a ditch, sliding down the rough incline until I landed hard on my side, breath knocked from my lungs.
I lay there for a moment, dazed, staring up at the drop above me, the cold, distant light of the stars filtering through the branches.
Then I smelled it—thick smoke curling through the air, sharp and bitter, filling my lungs with each breath. The realization sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. I forced myself to my knees, clawing my way up the side of the ditch until I could see over its edge.
My heart stopped.
There, beyond the final line of trees, the kingdom lay stretched out across the valley—my home, my entire world—and it was drowning in flames.
Kin Noro
My eyes slowly blinked open as a cool draft slipped through the small gap in my window, brushing against my face. The room was quiet, the kind of silence that made everything feel heavier. I turned my head slightly, eyes landing on the moon outside, glowing pale against the dark sky.
I pushed myself up with a quiet sigh, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I glanced around my room. Faint shadows stretched across the floor, cast by the moonlight filtering in. For a moment, I just sat there, letting the cool night air wake me up.
Letting out a deep contented sigh, I walk towards my bathroom to freshen up for the long day ahead of me. Standing in front of the mirror, my emerald green eyes traced the contours of my face, studying every familiar detail.
The small freckle on my chin, barely noticeable unless you knew to look for it. The sharp angle of my jawline, giving me a look that some might call handsome—though right now, with how tired I felt, I wasn't so sure.
And then there was my hair, a wild mess of white strands sticking out in every direction. No matter how many times I ran my fingers through it, it never stayed in place. I looked like a mess.
With a quiet sigh, I reached up and lifted my bangs slightly, pushing them back just enough to reveal the scar hidden on the top left side of my forehead. A thin, faded line, barely noticeable under normal light, but I knew it was there.
My fingers hovered over it for a moment, the memory of how I got it was long gone. I've tried my best to remember but there's no point on dwelling on a small little scar.
**
After a long, warm shower and a bit of time to clean myself up, I felt much better. The lingering grogginess had faded, replaced with a refreshing sense of clarity.
Now standing in front of my mirror, I adjusted the collar of my dark blue coat, smoothing it down over my shoulders. Beneath it, my school uniform was neatly in place—a crisp white collared shirt tucked into dark formal pants. It made me look sharp, put-together, almost like a real scholar.
At least, that's what my mom always said. I wasn't sure if I believed it, but as I stared at my reflection, I figured it wasn't a bad look.
Leaving my room, I made my way to the kitchen, my stomach already reminding me that I hadn't eaten yet. The house was quiet, the faint morning chill still clinging to the air.
I grabbed a pan from the cabinet and set it on the stove, cracking a couple of eggs onto the heated surface. The familiar sizzle filled the room, the smell of breakfast beginning to spread.
Just as I reached for the spatula, I felt a sudden presence behind me—but I was too late to react.
"Gotcha!"
A pair of small arms wrapped around my waist as Yui, my eleven-year-old little sister, popped out from behind me with a triumphant grin. Her long brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, bouncing as she laughed. The same emerald green eyes we shared sparkled with mischief.
I sighed, pretending to be annoyed, though I couldn't hide the small smirk tugging at my lips. "Really? Sneaking up on me this early in the morning?"
Yui grinned wider. "You're getting slow, big bro. One day, I'll actually scare you for real."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, ruffling her hair as she groaned and tried to swat my hand away. "Now go set the table. Unless you just want me and mom to eat."
She stuck her tongue out at me but skipped over to grab the plates anyway. I shook my head with a chuckle before turning back to the stove.
**
The smell of eggs and toast filled the kitchen as I set down a plate in front of Yui, who was already bouncing in her chair, clearly impatient. She eyed the food with anticipation, but to her credit, she waited.
I placed another plate at the spot across from her, this one for Mom. Yui had helped set out the utensils, though half of them were crooked, so I went behind her to straighten them.
Just as I was finishing up, soft footsteps entered the room.
"Good morning, you two."
I looked up to see Mom standing in the doorway, her gentle smile instantly making the room feel warmer. She had the same emerald green eyes as me, the same snowy white hair, though hers flowed much more gracefully than my own messy strands.
Even now, in just a simple house dress, she looked effortlessly beautiful, the kind of beauty that felt almost unreal. Sometimes I wonder if all my good features were from her or Dad.
Yui grinned. "Morning, Mom! Kin actually cooked today, so if it tastes bad, it's his fault."
I rolled my eyes. "You didn't seem too worried about that when you were practically drooling over your plate."
Mom chuckled softly, her voice light and comforting. "I'm sure it's wonderful. Thank you for making breakfast, sweetheart."
Even after all these years, the warmth in her voice never failed to settle something deep inside me. I just nodded, pulling out her chair for her as she sat down.
As we started eating, the morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting a soft glow over the table. It was moments like these that felt the most peaceful—simple, familiar, and safe.
Yui wasted no time digging into her food, practically inhaling her eggs in a way that made me wonder if she even tasted them. She stuffed a piece of toast into her mouth, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk as she chewed with determined enthusiasm.
"Slow down before you choke," I muttered, raising an eyebrow. "It's not going anywhere."
She waved me off, barely swallowing before shoving in another bite. "I'm a growing girl, Kin! I need food!"
Mom let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she took a sip of tea. "She certainly has an appetite this morning." Then, turning to me, her expression grew a little more thoughtful. "Speaking of growing, your big day is coming up soon."
I leaned back slightly in my chair, resting my fork against my plate. "Yeah… Just a few more days until I leave for the capital."
Mom nodded, her gaze warm but holding that hint of motherly concern she always had. "It feels like just yesterday you were running around this place causing a mess," she said, smiling softly. "Now you're about to turn sixteen and take your ascension trials. It's hard to believe."
I glanced out the window for a moment, where the rolling green hills stretched far into the distance. The rural outskirts of the kingdom had been my home for almost 6 years now.
We used to live in the center of the kingdom but...
"I know it's a big thing," Mom continued, reading my silence like she always did. "But I have no doubt you're ready. You've trained hard for this."
I nodded, though a part of me still felt the weight of it all settling in. This was the moment I had been preparing for, the step that would determine my future. There was no turning back now.
Yui, now finishing off the last of her food, wiped her mouth and grinned. "Don't worry, Mom! Kin's too stubborn to fail."
I snorted. "That's one way to put it."
Mom chuckled, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from my face. "Stubborn or not, I believe in you. We both do."
The warmth in her voice made something in my chest ease just a little. No matter how much was ahead, at least I had that.
I smirked and playfully pushed Mom's hand away. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need to get all sentimental on me."
Mom just chuckled, shaking her head. "You say that now, but I bet when you come back, you'll be the one getting sentimental."
Before I could fire back, Yui leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. "Hey, do you think Aiken and Kensei will be there when you get to the capital?"
I paused for half a second before answering, keeping my voice casual. "Probably. They're third-years at the academy, so they're already in the city."
Aiken and Kensei, my older siblings. Twins, both eighteen, both in their 3rd year at the academy. Aiken always made time to check in, either through visits or at least a letter when she was too busy. She was the responsible one, the kind of person who made things look easy even when they weren't.
Kensei, though… it had been over a year since he last came home. No visits, no letters, Nothing.
Yui poked at the crumbs left on her plate. "Aiken will probably show up first. She always does."
I nodded, keeping my tone even. "Yeah. That sounds like her."
I didn't say anything about Kensei, and Yui didn't seem to notice. But Mom gave me that quiet, knowing look. She always noticed. She didn't push, though.
Instead, she just reached out and placed a gentle hand on my arm.
"I'm sure they'll both be excited to see you," she said softly.
I forced a small smile and looked down at my plate. "Yeah. We'll see."
**
After breakfast, I grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and wheeled my bike out onto the dirt path leading away from our house. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew-covered grass and distant chimneys burning from nearby homes. Yui waved dramatically from the porch as I hopped onto the seat.
"Try not to crash on the way there!" she called out with a grin.
I scoffed. "That was one time."
She stuck her tongue out before running back inside, probably to pester Mom about something else. Shaking my head, I kicked off the ground and started pedaling toward town.
The rural outskirts of the kingdom were always peaceful this time of morning. The rolling hills stretched far into the distance, the golden fields swaying with the breeze, and the occasional farmer leading their livestock along the worn dirt roads. I passed by familiar homes and waved at a few people who recognized me, but my mind was elsewhere.
Mom's words from earlier lingered in my head. I have no doubt you're ready.
I kept my face neutral, my eyes focused straight ahead, but my fingers curled tighter around the handlebars. The ascension trials was only two weeks away. Everything I had worked toward, everything that would determine my future—it all came down to that. I wasn't doubting myself, not really. But still…
I took a deep breath, forcing my grip to loosen. No use thinking about it now. I just had to take things one step at a time.
The dirt roads eventually gave way to stone streets as I neared town, and soon, the towering gates of the school came into view. Students milled about the entrance, chatting, laughing, some rushing to get inside before the first bell rang.
I slowed my bike, rolling to a stop just outside the school grounds.
I took one last moment to glance up at the building, its familiar structure standing tall beneath the morning sun. Another day. One step closer to what was coming.
With a quiet exhale, I kicked down the stand, climbed off my bike, and walked through the gates.
End of Chapter 1