[15 Days Ago]
That night was silent. Only the slow ticking of the wall clock echoed in the living room. Zeydan sat alone on the sofa, the desk lamp casting its dim glow over Ivan's diary, which lay open on his lap.
His hands trembled as he turned to the final page. Ivan's handwriting looked rushed this time, as if written in haste.
"This time I've been assigned to a dangerous biome. But I promise… I'll come back. If I fail, may this diary reach Zeydan. Think of it as the final message from your useless brother."
Zeydan covered his mouth with his hand. His chest tightened, his eyes threatening to break into tears, but he forced himself to hold back.
(Brother Ivan… don't write things like this…) he whispered, his voice shaking.
He hugged the diary tightly, as if he could still feel his brother's warmth through its worn-out cover. But after several minutes, his sobs shifted into something else—his eyes burned with determination, shining beneath the grief.
(If Brother Ivan can become part of Santara, then so can I. I can't just wait here without answers.)
With trembling hands, Zeydan reached for his phone on the small table. The screen reflected his tear-streaked face as he typed quickly:
"Warden Organization Registration"
Seconds later, the results appeared. The official website, with the Warden emblem—a black shield with silver wings—gleamed on the screen.
Zeydan paused, staring at the logo.
(Warden… if I can join this, maybe I'll find a way to reach Santara.)
Without hesitation, he tapped "Register Now." An electronic form appeared, asking for name, age, medical history, and personal motivation.
He took a deep breath, then began to fill it out one by one.
Name: Zeydan Rothveil
Age: 16 years old
Occupation: Student
Motivation: "I want to protect others."
His fingers froze at the last column. He stared at the words for a long while, then smiled bitterly.
(Brother… I'm coming. Wait for me there.)
With a single tap, he pressed Submit.
The screen changed, displaying the words:
"Registration successful. The Warden evaluation team will contact you within 3–21 business days."
Zeydan closed his phone. That night, he looked back at Ivan's diary—not just with longing, but with a fire burning inside him.
---
The days after registering passed slowly, as if time itself was mocking Zeydan. Every morning, he checked his email, hoping for a message from the Warden Organization. But every time, it was only the usual notifications—ads, school assignments, or useless chatter from his class group.
In the living room, he often found himself staring at Ivan's diary. The cover was weathered, the pages slightly folded. He reread the same lines over and over, especially the last one.
(I'll come back. If I fail… may this diary reach Zeydan.)
Every time he read it, his body trembled. Torn between anger and longing, fear and courage.
(If Brother Ivan can do it, then so can I. I don't want to stay a weak kid who gets left behind.) he muttered quietly.
From the second day after registering, Zeydan began training in secret. He did push-ups in his room, jogged down the apartment corridor, even practiced holding his breath underwater in a bucket in the bathroom. His body wasn't used to it yet, but his determination couldn't be stopped.
At night, he sometimes stood on the apartment balcony, staring at the sky. Images of Santara always filled his mind—strange biomes, monsters, and Ivan, who might still be fighting somewhere out there.
Until finally, on the twentieth day after he registered, his phone buzzed with a notification.
Sender: Warden Organization
Subject: Candidate Selection Call
"Zeydan Rothveil,
You have passed the initial registration screening. Please attend the physical and mental tests at the Warden Headquarters, Arvale District, on the 17th of this month at 09:00. Bring identification and comfortable clothing."
Zeydan stared at the screen for a long time. His heart pounded, his hands shook.
(F-finally… this is it.)
He rushed to his mother's room, where she lay beneath a thick blanket.
"Mom! I… I got called by the Warden!" he shouted, showing her the screen.
His mother looked at it slowly, then back at Zeydan's face. A faint smile appeared, though her eyes were wet and filled with worry.
"My son… if that's truly what you want, I won't stop you. But… promise me, don't let your fate be the same as Ivan's."
Zeydan grasped her hand tightly.
"Don't worry, Mom. It's because of Brother Ivan that I have to do this. I promise… I'll come back."
That night, Zeydan couldn't sleep. He sat on his bed, Ivan's diary on his lap.
(The day after tomorrow… I'll begin walking the same path as Brother Ivan. Whether it ends well or not, I won't back down.)
---
At the parking lot of the Warden Headquarters, Arvale District branch, Zeydan stood frozen. His eyes widened at the massive building towering before him. Its walls were reinforced, with dark glass reflecting the late afternoon sun. The giant Warden emblem loomed across the facade.
(Whoa… it's huge. Looks just like some secret spy base from the movies.) Zeydan muttered, craning his neck upward.
(Ivan… if only you were here, you'd show me how amazing this place really is.)
Suddenly—tap! A firm hand landed on his shoulder.
"Wah!" Zeydan reflexively spun around, throwing a punch at the mysterious assailant.
But before his fist could connect, a hand swiftly intercepted. Clack! The sound of their clash echoed, startling a flock of pigeons from the power lines above.
"Eh—" Zeydan froze.
Before him stood a man in a sharp black suit, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. It was Rainer.
"Relax, kid. Good reflexes, though," Rainer said, lowering his hand.
Zeydan scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh, sorry… I thought you were some thug—or a Santara monster popping out in the parking lot."
Rainer chuckled softly. "If a monster showed up in Arvale's parking lot, it would mean half of the Warden Organization had already fallen."
Zeydan let out a sheepish laugh.
"Wait… I feel like I've seen your face before…" Rainer squinted, studying him closely.
Zeydan exhaled. "I'm Zeydan Rothveil… younger brother of Ivan Rothveil."
Rainer's eyes widened briefly, then his expression softened. "Ah, no wonder. You look different from when we last met."
Zeydan lowered his head, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… I've been training, working out every day. So one day, I can help my brother in Santara."
Rainer stared at him deeply, then sighed. "So you really did apply to the Warden Organization, huh?"
Zeydan straightened his posture. "Yeah. I officially applied. I'm going to follow my brother."
Rainer's expression turned serious, almost disappointed. "That's a poor choice, kid."
Zeydan froze, his chest pierced by the words. "Huh? Why?"
Rainer looked away, his gaze fixed on the pale blue sky. The wind tugged at his suit, heavy with unspoken weight. "Nothing… just a passing breeze," he answered flatly.
(But… if he truly knew what happened inside the Warden Organization… maybe he wouldn't speak so lightly.)
Zeydan huffed. "Saying cryptic stuff like that just makes me even more curious."
Rainer gave a faint smile, patting Zeydan's shoulder. "Want me to take you inside? At least you won't get lost in the Warden's halls. This building's like a labyrinth, you know."
"Well, if it's free, I won't say no," Zeydan replied with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
Rainer chuckled back, then walked ahead. "Typical kid. Come on, follow me."
With steady steps, the two of them entered the Warden building. The automatic doors hissed open, revealing a long corridor bathed in bright white light.
(Zeydan gripped tightly onto Ivan's diary, tucked safely in his bag.)
(Brother… I'm here now. I won't back down.)