In the dim chamber beneath the city, Nova's voice reverberated with weight.
"Five hundred years ago, the wars began—stretching on through five successive world wars. By eighteen years ago, the ever-victorious Kingdom of Nakatam had conquered nearly a third of the world. Only two nations resisted until the very end: the Kingdom of Doal and its puppet ally, the Kingdom of Pronto. The Fifth World War, hailed as the Final War, intensified under Nakatam's relentless assault. It was in that darkest of times that Rabesta and I were born."
Endi held his breath, listening closely.
Pronto had been nothing more than a puppet regime under Doal. On the battlefield, Pronto soldiers were thrown forward as bait, forced to charge the enemy and die like tools.
Nova and Rabesta lost their parents before they could even form memories. They were abandoned to an orphanage in rural Pronto.
"That orphanage was the only haven for children like us. We were poor, often hungry… but every day still felt joyful."
For an instant, Nova's eyes softened with a distant light.
But the peace shattered suddenly.
"I'll never forget it. When we were eight, Nakatam soldiers stormed the orphanage. They slaughtered the priest, the sisters, the children—unarmed, defenseless. Then they looted food and valuables."
Nova's fists clenched until his knuckles turned white, his voice trembling with hatred.
Endi felt his chest tighten, struck silent by the cruelty.
"Rabesta, Lucian, and I barely escaped with our lives. Soon after, Pronto was absorbed into Nakatam." Nova's tone deepened further.
"Lucian? Who's that?" Endi asked.
"My little sister," Rabesta answered curtly.
A fleeting shadow passed across her impassive face.
"Homeless and lost, we had nowhere to go. Lucian, crying, told us: 'From now on, the three of us will live strong together. Don't hate anyone. When we grow up, let's make a world where children can laugh and live freely.' With her smile beside us, our hatred was slowly stripped away."
Rabesta's voice was flat, yet tinged with nostalgia.
"Then why revenge? Where is Lucian now?" Endi pressed.
"She's dead. Killed by those Nakatam bastards."
Rabesta's face stiffened, her voice cold.
"Killed… how?" Endi froze, stunned.
Nova spoke again, strained.
"We went to Baleralc, the capital, to start anew. But to outsiders like us, the people were merciless."
Endi tilted his head, and Cain added coolly:
"Prejudice, right? Nakatam's a multi-ethnic state built from conquered lands. Many Nakatamites despise anyone of foreign or mixed blood."
"Exactly. As former Pronto folk, we were despised. People hurled insults, sometimes attacked us outright. We shielded Lucian, our bodies covered in bruises."
Nova let out a bitter laugh.
"Yet Lucian never hated anyone. She believed one day people would understand each other. But when she caught pneumonia, no doctor would treat her—because she was from Pronto!"
Rabesta's fists trembled, her whole frame shaking with rage.
Behind her expressionless face, raw emotions poured forth.
"That gentle girl, dreaming of peace, died at only six years old."
Nova's voice was quiet, yet each word carried deep grief.
"…That's… unforgivable."
Endi bit his lip, holding back tears.
"After that, we gathered others who suffered the same prejudice. And four years ago, when the war finally ended, we formed the Nova Family."
"These four years, we scraped wealth from the underworld, bought arms from the Old Doal Army, and armed ourselves. All of it… for revenge on Nakatam."
Rabesta added flatly.
A heavy silence hung. Endi lowered his gaze, sorting his thoughts.
"…So today's the day you'll carry it out."
He rose slowly, heading toward the exit.
"Where are you going?" Nova asked sharply.
"Home."
Endi's reply was simple.
Nova's eyes widened. Rabesta stared blankly after him.
"I get it. I have no right to tell you not to hate, not to take revenge. But come to the palace today. Spill it all—the pain, the rage. I'll take it. I'll shoulder it!"
Endi's smile was gentle, yet unwavering.
For a moment, Cain's eyes glimmered with sorrow. But it faded, replaced by his usual detached expression.
Endi and Cain left, their footsteps echoing up the passage toward the surface.
Behind them, Nova and Rabesta stood in silence, gazes locked on Endi's back. Their lips parted as if to speak, but no words came.