The night was as dark as ink, yet the stars shone brighter than ever. It was a turning point in human history, a flight that could change fate.
That year, the Orc Uprising erupted fully. The intelligent beast species created through genetic experiments evolved and turned against their creators, turning the once-prosperous home planet "Tersia" into a battlefield of chaos. Humanity retreated step by step, with millions of refugees fleeing in batches to neighboring planets—including a secret ark built by the Science Alliance, the "Ark of Hope."
A baby boy was born aboard this ark, crying under the faint cabin lights. His parents did not accompany him; they chose to stay on the home planet as members of the resistance army.
The boy's name was Cain.
He had no memories of the home planet, had never seen the towering steel cities. For him, everything about "Akaser" existed only in the fragmented narratives of the elders and the blurred skies in yellowed images.
"He's really quiet, don't you think it's strange?" A young woman sat by the cabin wall, gently stroking the sleeping infant in her arms.
"He's just born, tired from crying." The man smiled, covering them with a blanket. They were friends of Cain's parents, willing to adopt this orphan of war as his godparents.
The woman was named Thea, and the man was named Luen.
After the ark landed on Eramia, they chose to settle in the southern forests, establishing a small community centered around natural resources. They believed that to coexist with the elves, one must learn to understand nature.
In the second year on this planet, they had their own daughter: Ellie.
Cain's childhood was spent growing up with Ellie. Unlike other children who cried and made noise, he often quietly observed the world.
"Brother, I caught a glow bug!" Five-year-old Ellie exclaimed excitedly, holding a transparent fruit shell with a golden bug flickering inside.
Cain just nodded, whispering, "Remember to release it after catching, or it will die."
"You're nagging like the elves." Ellie pouted.
"It's not nagging, it's rules." Cain continued carving patterns on a piece of wood, a toy he designed after observing wind turbines.
Every morning, he and Ellie would help Thea fetch water and collect light moss to make healing potions. Luen taught them basic survival skills and the principles of weapon construction.
At night, the family would sit around a small table by the tree hole for meals. They ate soup made from thunder vines, rice wrapped in stone leaves, and occasionally, Luen would bring back "sunseed candies" from the market, the children's most luxurious treat.
When Cain was ten, he saw a military patrol at the settlement square. Those soldiers in gray-silver light armor stayed for less than a moment, yet their presence ignited a different light in his eyes.
"Do you want to be a soldier?" Luen asked him that night.
"Yes," Cain replied firmly.
"Because of your parents?"
"Not just that." Cain lowered his head, crushing his food into lines, "I want to return to the home planet."
Luen was silent for a moment, sipping his tea.
"You think further than adults." He finally said.
Cain didn't respond, but from that day, he doubled his training. Besides daily chores, he practiced stance, sword grip, and even simulated outdated map instruments at night.
Ellie often mocked him, "You can't even cut down a tree, and you want to save people?"
Cain would always reply calmly, "I will grow up."
She threw a stone angrily, "I will grow up too!"
When Cain was twelve and Ellie ten, they went to the trading post on the south side of town to exchange healing herbs and fuel crystals for Thea. For children who grew up in the forest, going to town was always exciting yet nerve-wracking.
"Don't run around, there are many outsiders there," Cain reminded Ellie, holding her hand.
"I know, I'm not a three-year-old." Ellie shook his hand off, a smile hidden at the corner of her mouth.
As they passed the bustling stone square, a central army patrol happened to cross the street. It was Cain's first close encounter with real soldiers: reflective armor, synchronized steps, each with a cold, hard gaze.
"Wow…" Ellie couldn't help but glance a few more times, accidentally bumping into one of the soldiers.
The soldier frowned, grabbing Ellie's arm, "What are you doing? Little thief?"
"I-I just… I didn't steal anything!" Ellie was flustered, her voice trembling.
Cain rushed forward, using all his strength to pull the soldier's hand away, "Let her go! She didn't do anything!"
The soldier's eyes flashed with disdain, backhanding Cain away. He fell heavily on the stone ground, scraping his arm.
"Don't think you country bugs can run wild in the city." Another soldier approached, trying to drag Ellie away, "Take her to the camp and check her background, maybe she's a smuggler's brat—"
"Enough." A deep, authoritative voice interrupted.
The patrol leader appeared. About forty, his armor was sharp, eyes keen as a blade. With just a glance at his subordinates, the entire team fell silent.
"My subordinate was rude." The officer nodded slightly towards Cain, "We'll record this and handle it internally."
Cain gritted his teeth, not getting up, shielding Ellie with his body, staring defiantly at the officer.
The officer seemed to understand something. He smiled slightly, though there was a cold edge to it, "You have guts, name?"
"Cain." He answered without hesitation.
The officer nodded, "Hope to see you in the army someday."
With that, he ordered the soldiers to withdraw. The one who first acted sneered, a mocking smile on his lips, eyes devoid of any remorse.
Ellie clung to Cain, tears streaming down her face. Cain gritted his teeth, wrapping an arm around her, his other hand clenched into a fist.
Never before had he felt so acutely the disparity in power.
From that moment, he no longer just wanted to "join the army."
He wanted to enter their core—the central army, to change that coldness and arrogance.
Not just for his parents, but for her, who cried behind him, and for all the unprotected civilians.
At dawn, before the mist cleared, the settlement square was already crowded. A new recruitment notice was posted on the wooden bulletin board, the ink still fresh.
[Southern Military Headquarters Announcement] Applicants aged seventeen and above may apply to join the regional military training camp After training and assessment, outstanding individuals may be recommended to the central forces — Fight for the future of humanity
Cain stood before the notice, quietly reading it. His fingertips lightly touched the words, as if caressing a long-held vow.
A familiar voice came from beside him, "Have you really decided?"
Ellie stood behind him, still in her morning robe, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Yes." He turned to smile at her, "I've decided long ago."
She bit her lip, silent, finally asking softly, "Is it for your parents, or… because of that day?"
"Both." Cain answered frankly.
He remembered clearly, the afternoon five years ago when he was wrongfully grabbed in the city, and the officer's tone saying, "Hope to see you in the army someday." Over the years, he trained not just to become stronger, but to break some already corrupt rules within that closed power system.
On the day of departure, nearly the entire village came to see him off. Thea gave him a bottle of green dew, Eramia's unique healing spring liquid. Luen silently handed him a folding combat blade.
"Not for you to go to war," he said, "but to know how to come back alive."
"I will." Cain accepted the blade with determination in his eyes.
Ellie quietly tugged his sleeve, handing him a small wooden carving, a smiling owl.
"Don't lose it this time." She whispered, "I'll place one just like it on the table every day, return it when you come back."
Cain took the carving, saying nothing, just nodding gently.
Cain and dozens of young villagers set off together, heading to the distant "Gran Hill Training Camp" for a year of regional military basic training. There, blessed by the elves, amidst gentle forests, iron and fire, sweat and blood, Cain trained not just a body capable of wielding weapons, but a soul willing to bear the past and future.
He did not know then that his choice would change the fate of two planets.
Three days later, Cain arrived at Gran Hill Training Camp. It was a vast area enclosed by walls, with a central red stone clock tower symbolizing reverence for time and military discipline.
New recruits reported in succession, both men and women, most with nervous expressions, eyes full of curiosity and confusion about the future.
Cain was not conspicuous in the crowd, but his gaze and stride caught the attention of a few instructors.
"Name?" The sergeant in charge of registration asked loudly.
"Cain Ailes."
The sergeant flipped through the roster, nodding and recording, then handed him a badge engraved with "Southern Training."
"From today, you're a regional military candidate. Prepare to be tortured, kid."
Cain accepted the badge, pinning it to his chest, his face showing no fear.
His foot had finally stepped into the world he had dreamed of since childhood—though he knew this was just the beginning.