Night settled over the house, quiet and still.
Kaelith had been asleep for hours before his eyes slowly opened, staring at the ceiling above him. Sweat clung to his skin in the thick heat of the room.
He pushed the blanket aside and slipped out of bed, careful not to wake his parents. First, a glass of water… then maybe some fresh air.
Outside, the night breeze was cool against his face. Frogs croaked in the distance, and crickets filled the darkness with their sharp song.
Kaelith looked up. Stars dotted the sky like scattered sparks. A faint smile crossed his face.
Far away, Seraphina stood in her own yard, eyes fixed on the same night sky.
"They're beautiful," they both whispered, though neither could hear the other.
The moment broke with the sharp crash of flower pots shattering somewhere nearby. Kaelith's head turned sharply toward the sound.
"Kae…lith…"
The voice was faint, weak like someone forcing the words out with what little strength they had left.
On the ground, a figure lay still, one trembling hand reaching toward him.
Kaelith approached slowly. Her face was hidden behind a mask, but he could tell she was a woman.
His name barely left her lips before he froze. "Kaelith–"
How did she know him?
He pulled his hand back and stared at her. Then, with a sharp breath, he reached for the mask and tore it away.
Blood dripped inside the mask as it came off.
What he saw made his entire body lock in place.
It was his mother.
Her face, pale and streaked with tears, burned into his mind.
Panic surged through him. He didn't even know what to do. His body shook like it couldn't decide whether to move or collapse.
"Mom…"
Tears ran down Veyra's face as her hand rested gently against Kaelith's cheek, her touch carrying the last warmth of a mother's love.
"Kaelith… you have to run," she whispered.
Kaelith stood frozen. His chest felt heavy, his thoughts scattered. Seeing his mother like this hurt more than words could hold, but he just kept staring at her, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
"I said run, my son," Veyra repeated, her voice breaking.
"The ones who did this… they're coming for you. Your blood is different from us humans. If they find you, they'll kill you."
"But, Mom… I can't leave you here to die. I'll call Dad—"
He turned to shout for Silas, but Veyra gripped his hand, pulling him down beside her with surprising strength.
"Listen to me," she said, forcing the words out.
"You are brave. One day, you'll grow stronger… strong enough to stop them. You'll save the world from their plans. And when that day comes… avenge me. Kill the man called Tavros. Now go!"
Kaelith's throat burned. He didn't want to leave her here… not like this.
But then the weeds behind them shook violently, the sound of footsteps fast approaching.
He had no choice.
Wiping at his eyes, Kaelith pushed to his feet and ran toward the forest, vision clouded by tears.
Three figures broke through the trees just as he disappeared.
"Hey!!" one of them shouted.
They rushed forward, but Veyra threw herself at one of the men, dragging him to the ground before collapsing beside him.
The other two sprinted after Kaelith at full speed.
Moments later, Veyra lay still, her eyes frozen with tears as her last breath left her.
Kaelith ran harder, looking back for just a moment—enough to lose his footing.
He crashed to the ground, and his head slammed against a stone. Blood streaked his face as pain blurred his sight.
The pursuers closed in.
Hiss vision dimmed, his body growing heavy. Just before he will go to his unconscious, he saw someone step between him and the Attackers, only the figure's boots clear through the haze.
Then came the screams… the clash of steel… and impacts.
Then slowly did Kaelith eyes closed.
The place fell silent. Through the haze of unconsciousness, Kaelith felt himself being carried. Slowly, but couldn't see anything just the dark.
---
"Damn it! I gave them one simple job, and they still failed."
Tavros sat in his mansion, gripping the phone, speaking to one of his guards.
"Sir, they managed to take down that spy," the guard replied nervously, "but the boy, the one with access to the original Crimson Vitae, he got away. And… we don't even know what he looks like. How do we find him?"
Tavros leaned back, lips curling into a thin smile as he heard the spy dead.
"That's fine. As for the boy… I already know what to do."
"Sir, I found some tracks leading out of the area. I'm following them now. I'll call you once I have something."
"Good,"
Tavros said, exhaling in satisfaction.
"No more obstacles. We can finally ship the teenagers without interference. Hahaha!"
---
Far away, in a quiet village surrounded by forest, life moved slowly. It was a peaceful place untouched by chaos.
On the edge of the village stood a small, lonely house, tucked between towering trees. An old man lived there, his home separated from the rest of the world. Despite its isolation, the place was never empty, creatures of all kinds came by regularly, especially the monkeys, who adored him.
That afternoon, the house was quiet. The old man, well into his seventies, stepped outside and sat on the worn wooden bench. His long white hair shifted in the wind.
Reaching into his pocket, he took out a weathered black flute. He always played when the silence grew too heavy, when memories of the family he had lost became too much to bear.
As the soft notes began to rise, birds swooped down from the trees, perching nearby. The monkeys came too, chattering softly before settling in front of him, listening as if they understood the sorrow in the music.
---
Inside the small house, Kaelith stirred. Slowly, his eyes opened. His head throbbed in pain, but he pushed himself up, scanning the modest room. Faded photographs of a man, woman, and child rested on a small table. Dozens of candles flickered, lighting up shelves lined with jars and pots. Everything was simple yet tidy.
Kaelith rose carefully, a bandage wrapped around his head.
Stepping outside, sunlight struck his face. The flute's melody reached his ears, gentle yet filled with longing.
"Where… am I?"
he murmured, confusion clouding his thoughts.
Drawn by the music, he followed the sound through the trees.
Near the old man's bench, soft footsteps approached. Something or someone was coming closer. But the old man, lost in his song didn't notice.
The monkeys stirred first, sensing a stranger. They leapt back into the branches, chattering nervously. And the birds also scattered into the sky.