In the 17th century, there was a kingdom called "Elynsia," located in Northern Europe. It was a dominant force in the region, feared by all neighboring kingdoms—except for "Sylvarion," its eastern rival, with whom it had long-standing disputes over a few islands in the Baltic Sea. For years, brutal battles raged between them, causing heavy casualties. But by the late 17th century, tensions had eased, and both sides were on the verge of signing a peace treaty to divide the islands.
However, fate took a dark turn. A coup erupted in Elynsia, throwing everything into chaos. The mastermind behind the coup was a man known as "Phantom X." After seizing power, he discovered that Elynsia had been developing a new type of bomb—a weapon powered by strange magic, capable of unleashing destruction unlike anything humanity had ever witnessed. Without hesitation, Phantom X ordered the bomb to be prepared and launched at Sylvarion. It was aimed correctly and released—but for some unknown reason, the bomb suddenly veered off course…
Our protagonist, "Nox," lived in a small house with his mother, "Mariana," his little sister, "Liana," and his older brother, "Xairos." Their home was in a small town on Elynsia's eastern outskirts, where everyone knew each other well. The town had flourished for years, thanks in part to Nox's uncle, "Fabius," who successfully managed vast farmlands.
Nox knew nothing about his father. Every time he asked his mother, she would change the subject. Over time, he accepted that his father was probably dead and would never return. Despite occasional arguments, Nox had a good relationship with his siblings. He adored his little sister and never refused her requests, and though he sometimes clashed with Xairos, they understood each other.
At 16 years old, Nox was spending an ordinary day chatting with his friends, "Nira," "Darin," and "Lux," about random, silly things.
Nox: "Guys, I've got a question. If you could go back in time to change something in your life, what would it be?"
Darin thought for a moment, then sighed: "If I could go back, I'd return to when I was three years old and stop my father from selling our land."
Nira tilted her head, curious: "Why? What's so bad about it?"
Darin ran a hand through his hair in frustration: "Eight years later, we found out there was a gold mine on that land. We could've been rich… Ugh, every time I think about it, I get more pissed off."
Everyone laughed—except Lux.
Lux turned to them and asked, "But why did your father sell the land if he knew there was gold there?"
Nox chuckled: "Lux, sometimes I feel like your head's in another world, man."
Lux, confused, replied seriously: "Why?"
Nira laughed too and patted his shoulder: "Never mind, Lux. Forget it."
Suddenly, they all felt a strange sensation.
Darin spoke up first: "Did you guys feel that? Like we're reliving this moment for the second time?"
Nox: "Yeah… I felt it too. Weird."
Before they could dwell on it, a voice shattered the peaceful air—a scream. They turned toward the sound and saw Nox's brother, Xairos, running toward them in panic.
Xairos, shouting frantically: "The bomb is coming! Run! Run now!"
People around them dismissed him as a lunatic. Nox, embarrassed in front of his friends, rushed over to him.
Nox whispered, "Xairos, what's wrong with you? Why are you shouting like a madman?"
Xairos, panting, grabbed Nox by the shoulders: "Nox, listen to me! The Red Shadow! No—you warned me about a great disaster!"
Nox tensed: "Red Shadow? Disaster? What are you talking about?"
Xairos: "I know I sound insane, but we don't have time! Get Mom and Liana out of the house and run!"
Nox hesitated but tried to stay rational: "Xairos, calm down. Nothing's happening. You're just hallucinating."
Xairos, furious: "Nox! I'm telling you to get them out and run! Why do you always have to argue?!"
He rushed off to warn the rest of the town. Nox stood frozen, then snapped back to reality and returned to his friends.
Nira, worried: "Your brother looked really upset. What happened?"
Nox, frowning: "I don't know. He told me to take my mom and sister and run because a disaster is coming."
Lux thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Maybe he's right."
Nox chuckled: "Imagine if I actually took them and ran, and nothing happened? People would think I'm as crazy as Xairos."
Minutes later, Xairos returned, furious that Nox hadn't listened. Desperation took over his face.
Xairos: "What's the point? We're going to die anyway. This was always our fate. We're just passing through."
Nox, now angry: "Xairos, enough! I told you—there's no disaster coming!"
But before he could finish his sentence… a blinding light tore through the horizon, like a second sun appearing in the sky. His eyes burned from the intensity. The screams of people filled the air. And then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
A deafening explosion rocked the earth. Buildings trembled. The sky turned to fire and dust. A massive shockwave sent debris flying as an earthquake ravaged the land.
The four friends stood frozen in fear.
Nox tried to gather himself: "Guys! Go find your families! We'll meet up later!"
Nira started crying: "Oh God, please let us survive! I don't want to die!"
Nox reassured her: "You'll be fine! Just go now!"
The friends split up, each rushing toward their homes. Nox sprinted toward his house—but stopped when he saw Xairos collapsed on the ground.
Nox, panting, tried to lift him: "Xairos! Get up! We have to run!"
Xairos, voice trembling with despair: "We're going to die… we're going to die… but will I live again in the next dimension?"
Nox, overwhelmed, his eyes filling with tears: "Xairos, please… we have to find Mom and Liana!"
Just as he finished his sentence—
A massive black firestorm erupted, sending violent winds through the city. Buildings were obliterated, and the scorching flames devoured everything in their path. Nox collapsed, his ears ringing from the explosion. He heard his brother's agonized screams.
He looked up—and saw Xairos engulfed in violet flames, his body melting like molten lava. Nox scrambled to reach him, but everywhere he turned, people were burning.
Tears streaming down his face, Nox begged, "Please, Xairos! Don't leave me!"
Despite his pain, Xairos took a final breath and whispered, "Please… don't forget me… after you save us."
His body went still.
Nox collapsed in despair, kneeling beside his brother's lifeless body. He felt completely alone. But then—
"Mom… Liana!" His heart pounded. "They're the only ones left!"
Forcing himself to stand, he staggered toward his home, stepping over charred corpses. But the nightmare wasn't over.
When he arrived, he saw them—his mother and little sister—burned beyond recognition, holding each other in their final moments.
Nox's world shattered: "No… No, this isn't real…"
Before he could grieve, the sound of galloping horses filled the air. He turned—just as soldiers surrounded him and his surviving friend, Darin.
The soldiers seized them, tying them up. They were taken away… to an unknown fate.