Jack, a boy born into misery, was a beggar. He sat on the street corner, his stomach growling and throat dry. Every day, the nobles of the kingdom beat him mercilessly. In this cursed land, nobles held the power to torment beggars without consequence. The system demanded that those born into the lowest caste remain beggars for life, no matter how hard they tried to escape.
Jack, just an eleven-year-old boy, wore a tattered brown dress, his black hair unkempt and a jagged scar cutting across the center of his forehead. Life had been harsh, but he endured it all—because he had no choice..
On Sundays, he snuck away to the riverside to catch fish—his only escape from the torment. That day, as he crouched by the water, he noticed a nobleman watching him from a distance. Jack tensed but tried to focus on his fishing. Trouble was the last thing he wanted.
His fishing rod was crude, built from scraps he'd found in the garbage. Beggars weren't allowed to own tools, but Jack had no other way to eat.
The nobleman moved closer. Jack's chest tightened as fear surged through him. He thought of running, but before he could, the man caught his arm.
"Don't be afraid," the nobleman said. His voice wasn't harsh like the others—it was calm, almost kind. His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his well-trained, soldier-like physique radiated an air of protection. His eyes glowed with a resonance that mirrored his hair. He wore two bracelets adorned with golden metal, distinguishing his noble status, along with a badge that reflected his rank.
Jack froze, unsure of what to do.
"I'm not here to hurt you," the man continued. "Do you know why you and so many others suffer?"
Jack shook his head, too scared to speak.
"It's because of a wish" the nobleman said with a heavy sigh. "A wish made by someone long ago, binding this kingdom to its cursed system. No one can break it—unless..." The man paused, his gaze distant.
"Unless what?" Jack whispered.
"Unless someone finds the Wishing Stone" the nobleman said. His voice grew firmer. "You must find it and make a wish—one for equality, for freedom from this suffering. The stone lies in the Aldoma mountain region. Once you reach it, wait for the alignment of four stars in the sky. That's when its power will awaken."
Jack's fear melted into determination. "I'll do it!" he said, nodding eagerly.
But before he could ask more, the man vanished, disappearing into thin air as though he had never been there.
After meeting with such a strange nobleman, Jack looked around, frightened. "It seems no one is here" he mumbled to himself. "I think it was a dream. If the Wishing Stone really exists, I could save so many from this suffering."
Jack stood by the riverside, his heart pounding with a mix of confusion and hope. For the first time in his life, he had a reason to keep going. He had a purpose—to free everyone from this cursed fate, no matter what it took.
After finishing his fishing, Jack beat the fish with a stone, saying to himself, "Oh my, there are three fish today. It's a real feast." Each fish was as big as his palm, enough for them to survive.
He packed the fish into dirty bags so they wouldn't attract attention.
Jack whistled softly, and another boy appeared. He wore tattered brown clothes and covered his head with the same cloth, disguising his face to avoid suspicion. Beggars worked together this way to avoid being noticed by nobles who would steal their meager food.
As Jack returned to the city, the streets bustled with life. Despite being filled with lower caste individuals, the city was vibrant—shops lined the stone-bricked roads, and carriages moved smoothly on the uneven paths. Technology had not advanced far, and the kingdom of Cindark was ruled by a mysterious king.
Rumors abounded about the kingdom's origins. Some said it was created by a god, others whispered that it rose from the sea. No one truly knew, for the royal family held its secrets close.
"Today, many shops were opened" Jack said quietly to himself as he walked through the streets.
However, as Jack made his way through the crowded alleys, a group of children approached him—a higher-status commoner among them sneered, "What's in the bag, you little kid?" With a bullying tone, they snatched his bag and threw the fish onto the ground, kicking and beating him.
As they left, no one intervened. The higher-caste commoners held power, acting on behalf of the nobles. Jack smiled bitterly to himself. "You're just dogs for your masters" he said quietly as he picked up his bag.
He walked through the narrow alleyways until he reached a tent—a haphazard shelter patched with worn-out fabrics and broken carriage wood.
Inside, his younger brother lay motionless. At just eight years old, Jade's black hair was the same as Jack's, but his frail body could barely move. The poor boy was afflicted by a disease that caused his skin to resemble the cloth of a skeleton, with infections spreading across his body. He could scarcely move, and every day felt like hell. His lips were cracked and dry, often bleeding, making it difficult for him to eat. His eyes had grown dim, and even if something were to happen, he could not see it .
"Brother, are you alright?" Jack asked, his voice filled with concern as he tried to lift his brother into a sitting position.
"Ah, nice. Let's get started with dinner" Jade responded with a weak smile, despite the pain etched into his features. They may not have much time together, but they made the most of it—Jack worked tirelessly each day to earn enough for medicine, though it would take years to afford what little relief could be bought.
With determination, Jack whispered, "Tomorrow, I'll go to the Aldoma mountains and find the stone to cure you."
A flicker of hope appeared in Jade's eyes. "Are we going on a trip, brother?" His voice was filled with childlike wonder.
"Yes," Jack said, though worry clouded his face. He knew the journey would be dangerous, but doing nothing wasn't an option.
They lay down after a long, quiet talk, hearts filled with both fear and hope