Chapter 1 — The Beginning of Change
The winds of Jepka sang softly through the silver fields. Magic shimmered in the air like faint dust of stars. Beneath the twilight sky, five girls rode their horses through the open meadow — their laughter echoing through the hills.
They were sisters, though not by blood. Bound by choice, not birth.
Among them was Saehwa, the youngest — quiet, graceful, and always a little distant. Her long hair shimmered like ice, catching the glow of the setting sun.
"Come on, Saehwa!" called Ardelle, the eldest, her voice gentle yet firm. "You're falling behind again!"
Saehwa urged her horse forward, smirking faintly. "I'm not racing. You know I don't like competing."
Ardelle chuckled. "You don't like anything that involves effort."
That made Lyra, the second sister, laugh out loud. Sparks of golden light flickered around her — a side effect of her fiery nature."She's afraid she'll melt if she moves too fast!" Lyra teased.
"Very funny," Saehwa muttered, rolling her eyes.
Eira, who had power over the air, twirled gracefully beside them, her long white scarf fluttering. "Don't tease her too much, Lyra. You'll start another snowstorm."
"And I'll end it with fire," Lyra shot back.
"Both of you, enough," Ardelle said, her tone like a mother's. "We came out here to relax."
The fifth sister, Naya, riding quietly behind them, smiled softly. Her fingers brushed against the earth, and small green lights — tiny spirits of soil and leaf — followed her hand. "Let them be. It's rare to hear them laugh like this."
Their laughter faded as the wind shifted. A sound rippled through the air — faint, broken, and sharp.
Saehwa straightened. "Did you hear that?"
The others froze. The sound came again — shouting.Not far from them.
Lyra's eyes blazed. "Someone's fighting."
"Or dying," Eira whispered.
Ardelle's brow furrowed. "Stay here. I'll go check."
But Lyra had already leapt from her horse. "No way. I'm coming."
Saehwa crossed her arms. "We shouldn't get involved. You know what happens when we do."
Ardelle turned to her, calm but firm. "Saehwa…"
"We don't belong to them," Saehwa interrupted coldly. "Their world rejected us. Why should we save anyone from it?"
Ardelle sighed — patient, loving. "Because kindness doesn't belong to their world or ours. It belongs to the heart."
Saehwa looked away, silent.
Naya dismounted, touching the ground. "There's blood on the ground. Whoever they are… they're hurt. Badly."
Eira's voice trembled. "Then we can't just watch."
Saehwa groaned softly. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
They ran toward the noise — faster than wind, their movements a blur of light, flame, and frost.
In a clearing surrounded by tall stone ruins, they saw four boys being attacked — not by soldiers, but by ordinary townspeople.
The people shouted in anger, their eyes wild with fear."They're from the Dark Castle!" someone yelled. "Kill them before they bring the curse here!"
But the boys looked terrified, confused — and completely powerless.They had no aura, no magic, no sign of strength. They only raised their arms to shield themselves as stones and blows rained down on them.
Ardelle gasped. "They're unarmed! They're just boys!"
Lyra clenched her fists. "Cowards! Hurting the helpless?"
Saehwa stayed back, her expression unreadable. "We shouldn't—"
But it was too late. Lyra's anger ignited — flames burst from her palms, blazing across the clearing.Eira swept her hand, and a sharp wind scattered the mob like dust.Saehwa sighed, finally lifting her arm. Frost spread across the ground, freezing the villagers' feet in place — stopping them before anyone could strike again.
The people screamed and fled, disappearing into the trees.
Silence followed.
Ardelle rushed forward, kneeling beside the boys. "They're alive… but badly hurt."
Saehwa crossed her arms. "Now what? We saved them. Can we go?"
Ardelle looked up at her — soft eyes, patient as always. "No, Saehwa. We can't leave them here."
Saehwa frowned. "They're strangers."
"Strangers," Ardelle said gently, "can become family, too."
Saehwa didn't reply. Her eyes lingered on the youngest of the boys — unconscious, blood on his temple. Something about him felt… familiar.Something deep inside her stirred — like the faint call of a world she had forgotten.
Something that felt like destiny