The fire in the sky was very bright. It shined over the dark lands between the kingdom and the demon land. People far away could see it. Some thought it was a sign of hope. Some thought it was a sign of danger. But two boys saw it and felt something different.
Reko and Coker. Brothers but very different. One lived in the big, shiny palace. One lived in the dark, hard world. Now the fire was calling them both.
Reko left the war room fast. The generals shouted at him but he did not listen. His feet moved fast like the wind. He needed to see it. He needed to find his brother.
The path was hard. Thick trees and big rocks were in the way. But his heart was stronger than the pain. Every step took him closer. Every breath was heavy. Memories hit him like waves. The day their parents died. The day Coker disappeared. The day the hero died to save Coker.
He thought he hated his brother. But now he felt something else. A pain he never felt before. Like missing a part of himself.
On the other side, Coker and Lira left the burning tower. The man in the cloak was gone like smoke. But his words stayed in Coker's mind. "You are my end."
Coker looked at Lira. His eyes were tired but the fire still burned inside him.
"We must go now," he said. "The curse is waking. The demon king will not wait."
Lira nodded. "Your brother is coming. I can feel it."
Coker did not say anything. He walked slowly, feeling heavy inside. The fire changed him. Not just outside but inside too. Sometimes he felt lost. Sometimes he felt strong. Sometimes both.
When Reko and Coker finally met, the world felt still.
They were on a broken field. The grass was black. The wind was cold. The fire on Coker's body lit up the place like day.
Reko stopped. Looked at Coker. "You are alive."
Coker smiled sadly. "Did you think I was dead?"
Reko shook his head. "I thought you were gone. Lost."
Coker took a deep breath. "I was lost. But not gone."
They stood face to face. Two brothers. Two different paths.
Reko's golden eyes were soft. "I'm sorry. For everything. For leaving you. For all the hate."
Coker laughed dry. "You don't have to say sorry. I was the cursed one. The broken one."
"No," Reko said strongly. "You are my brother. That means everything."
For a moment, the fire around Coker slowed down. His body relaxed a little. It was the first time in a long time.
They talked for hours. Not with many words but with feelings. Memories. Pain. Hope.
Reko told about the kingdom. About the war getting ready. About how he always wished his brother was with him.
Coker told about the demons. The curse inside him. The fire that never stops.
Lira watched quietly. She did not say much but her eyes shined with hope.
Then the ground shook. Stronger than before.
A voice came from the dark sky. Deep and cold.
"You think you can run from me?"
The demon king's voice.
Coker and Reko looked up. Fire in their eyes.
"We can't," Coker said. "But we can fight."
Reko nodded. "Together."
The brothers stood side by side. Two flames burning bright. One born in shadow, one born in light.
The war was coming. And they were ready.