The sky was an unbroken expanse of blue, dotted with soft white clouds drifting lazily above the small town of Elaris. Birds chirped in the distance, the sound mingling with the rustle of leaves stirred by the gentle summer breeze. It was a peaceful day, one that felt like it belonged to a simpler time.
Jean, 19 years old and full of quiet energy, crouched low in the grass with a mischievous grin. His unruly dark hair framed sharp green eyes that sparkled with mischief. He glanced behind him where his little sister, Damichii, stood clutching a small wooden sword too big for her tiny hands.
"Ready, Damichii?" Jean whispered, his voice low and dramatic as if they were in the middle of a daring adventure.
Damichii, 10 years old and full of a boundless imagination, nodded enthusiastically. Her braided hair swung as she adjusted her stance, her bright eyes mirroring her brother's excitement. "I'm ready! What's the plan?"
Jean gestured to the imaginary "enemy" in the form of a row of wooden stakes their father had set up at the edge of the yard. "We charge in, strike fast, and retreat before they call reinforcements!"
With a fierce battle cry that was equal parts adorable and unintimidating, Damichii ran forward, swinging her wooden sword with gusto. Jean followed behind, pretending to fend off invisible attackers, their laughter echoing across the fields.
Their family's home sat at the edge of town, a modest but warm house filled with love. Their mother, Celeste, was known for her gentle nature and kindness that extended to anyone who knocked on their door. She often sat by the window, sewing or reading, her dark hair streaked with gray catching the sunlight. Their father, Callen, was a blacksmith, his hands rough but his heart tender, especially when it came to his children.
Life in Elaris was far from extravagant, but it was theirs. They had enough to eat, a roof over their heads, and each other.
That day, as the sun dipped lower in the sky and the siblings collapsed onto the grass, breathless from their "battle," the world felt infinite and unbreakable. Jean lay on his back, staring at the clouds, while Damichii curled up beside him, clutching her wooden sword like a prized treasure.
"Jean," she murmured, her voice quiet now.
"Yeah?"
"You'll always be here, right? No matter what?"
Jean turned his head to look at her. Her wide eyes were serious, filled with a depth beyond her years. He reached out and ruffled her hair, offering her a lopsided grin. "Always. You're stuck with me."
She smiled, reassured, and closed her eyes.
The moment shattered just hours later.
Night fell heavy and quiet, but in the distance, the rumble of something unnatural broke the stillness. It started as a faint hum, barely noticeable, but it grew louder and more menacing. The ground trembled.
Jean woke to the sound of hurried footsteps and the sharp crack of something exploding far too close. He bolted upright, heart pounding. His father burst into the room, face pale but resolute.
"Jean, grab Damichii. Now."
"What's happening?" Jean asked, but he obeyed, scooping his sister out of bed. She stirred, half-asleep, but didn't protest as he held her tightly.
"There's no time to explain," Callen said, his voice tight. "We need to get to the shelter."
The family rushed outside, the once-quiet town now alive with chaos. Flames licked the edges of buildings as soldiers stormed the streets, their shouts mingling with the cries of frightened townsfolk. The war, which had always felt so distant, had arrived without warning.
Jean held Damichii close as they ran, his mother and father leading the way. He could barely think, the noise and confusion swallowing every rational thought. His only focus was on his sister, on keeping her safe.
An explosion tore through the night, blinding and deafening. Jean was thrown to the ground, his grip on Damichii never faltering. When the dust settled, he looked around, dazed and disoriented.
His parents were gone.
"Mom? Dad?" Jean called out, his voice hoarse and desperate. There was no answer, only the roar of flames and the distant sound of gunfire.
Damichii clung to him, her small body trembling. "Jean, where are they?"
He didn't have an answer. All he could do was hold her tighter, the weight of the moment threatening to crush him.
That night, under a sky filled with smoke and fire, Jean and Damichii lost their family. Their world, once so peaceful, was now a blank slate painted with grief and uncertainty.
And so their journey began.