The stars were hidden that night, as though the heavens themselves refused to watch what was about to unfold. In the silence before the slaughter, a child was born. Marked by prophecy, hunted by many, and cradled by a mother whose intuition told her she would not live to see the child grow.
Nicolette, born into a peasant family, wondered how her only child would be the one to save the world. The thought of her child having to leave her—or worse, die—became her utmost concern. But he was just born; there were many years to come. Now, all she was focused on was seeing her little boy grow.
The joy ceased suddenly. The village was under attack. The king of Alivio, "Jack the Third," was aware of this prophecy and wanted to avoid anyone taking his glory or that of his descendant, so he ordered the destruction of all villages beyond the borders of the seven kingdoms, including his own. As the village burned and men were slaughtered, Nicolette clutched her baby tightly. Her heart racing as fast as lightning, she ran as fast as she could, but Alivio knights were fast on her tracks. She knew she couldn't outrun them. As she ran, she cried, having the intuition that she would die tonight, but she would make sure her child survived. Then she saw a dark figure wearing a cloak.
Nicolette cried out, "Wait, please take my child with you! I beg you!" The cloaked figure stopped without any words. The figure took the child and was about to sprint off. Nicolette called out, "You shall call him Zodac and give him this when he is old enough—he will understand." She threw a music box toward the cloaked figure; the box fell, damaging it. The figure picked up the box and disappeared into the night like snow.
Nicolette stood in the dark night as the cold wind blew gently upon her face. Knowing it was almost the end, she gazed at the sky one last time. As tears rolled from her eyes, a sword pierced through her flesh. Her body laid waste on the ground, her blood soaking the earth. With her last breath, she smiled and closed her eyes. She could now rest, knowing her son was safe.
The villages were destroyed, their ashes blown by the wind like whispers of the dead. Blood painted the soil and walls, and the screams of the dying still echoed through the ruins, proof that something far worse than death had passed through. This was just the beginning. The war that was about to unfold would be the end of the Great Seven Kingdoms and beyond, and only the child born of a Zodiac and human could save them all.
As years passed, Zodac turned ten, becoming more exposed to the world. He lived with a man in his late thirties named Derek. Derek stood at five feet eight, his brown eyes always scanning the horizon—the way he was taught when he was Zodac's age, always alert and ready.
On a very hot afternoon, Zodac and his two friends, Josh and Hera, were running around the pavements of the Kingdom of Vrott. Vrott was a beautiful kingdom where plants were the main source of beauty and their grains a great source of pride. Zodac and his friends were making trouble around the downtown market when they began to be chased by the royal guards.
"Yo, come on guys, we've got to go! They're gaining on us!" Zodac shouted. They sprinted through alleys and climbed over rooftops, arriving at their hideout unseen.
"That was close," Zodac said jokingly, shoving both of them.
"Yeah, too close," Josh and Hera replied simultaneously.
"Jinx!" both of them exclaimed. "You owe me your turkey leg."
"Yeah, yeah, very funny," Zodac said sarcastically. "Anyway, got to start going. Don't want to keep my old man waiting."
Hera looked shocked. "Wait, you mean Derek? He's not that old and he is sort of handsome. I think I've taken a liking to him."
Zodac raised a brow. "Hera, you're just nine! He's like… 38! Even older!"
Hera kicked a loose stone, her shoulders drooping. "I know."
"Anyway, gotta go. Catch you later."
Zodac walked home, allowing the cool air to blow through his lush hair. He wondered if he really had parents, or if he was born out of wedlock and unwanted. These thoughts rushed through his mind like wind. Distracted, he collided with a royal guard.
"You again," the guard said, grabbing Zodac by the arm.
"Let go of me!" Zodac struggled, but the guard's grip tightened. "Let go of me, you prick! AHH!"
Suddenly, Zodac released a great surge of energy like a raging wind. The guard was thrown backward while passersby gasped in awe. Zodac, in a state of confusion, turned and ran. He went back home wondering what had just happened. Standing at the front door, he took a deep breath and walked in.
"Where are you coming from and why are you late?" Derek asked.
"I'm sorry," Zodac said.
"That isn't the question. Where are you coming from?"
Zodac began walking away. "Why do you care? You're not my dad."
Derek remained unfazed. "I know what happened today. Wouldn't you want to know the truth?"
Zodac stopped. "The truth? About my parents?"
"About your mom," Derek replied. "I know nothing about your dad. We'll talk about it during dinner. Go freshen up."
Zodac drifted into sleep and dreamed of a man with gold lush hair and ocean-blue eyes. The man sat on a throne and called out, "I am waiting for you." Zodac jolted awake to hear Derek's voice echoing the same words.
Zodac stepped out to meet Derek at the campfire. The sun was setting, and Derek stood quietly observing it before placing a hand on Zodac's head. As the turkey roasted, Zodac waited for Derek to speak.
"You stare too much. Eat first, boy," Derek said.
During dinner, Derek spoke of his past as a knight who fought in the 3rd Great War. He told Zodac about Ash, the woman he loved, who was killed during an attack by the Alivio Kingdom.
"So…, are you going to tell me about my mom?" Zodac asked.
"First, go clear the plates," Derek instructed. When Zodac returned, Derek sighed deeply. "Your mother was a brave woman. She died protecting you. I was there that night. She begged me to take you away. I swore to protect you until you were old enough. She wanted you to have something."
Derek disappeared into the house and returned with an old, delicate music box.
"A music box? What am I supposed to do with this?" Zodac asked.
"I don't know, boy… but you are different. You are stronger. You don't remember it, but when you were five, a bear charged us. You stood in the way and you roared—not like a kid, but like something ancient. You tore that bear apart with your bare hands."
Derek's voice trembled. "Many will come for you, and they won't come with peace." He pulled out a worn, dark cloak that seemed to shimmer. "This cloak is woven with magic. It hides its bearer and sometimes… it whispers."
He draped it over Zodac. The cloak shrank to fit his body. For the first time, Zodac saw Derek shed a tear.
"You must go now. They are coming."
Suddenly, a bang echoed. "Open up! Hand over the child!"
Derek hugged Zodac one last time. "Run. Don't look back."
The wooden gate shattered. Six royal guards stormed the courtyard.
"Where is the boy?" a guard barked.
"You will never find him," Derek replied, drawing his twin gold sickles.
The battle was a blur of steel. Derek was a storm, parrying spears and slashing through armor. He fought desperately to buy Zodac time. But fatigue and numbers weighed him down. A heavy mace slammed into his ribs, and a sword pierced his chest.
Derek collapsed, his eyes searching one last time for Zodac. A faint smile crossed his lips before he fell still.
"Died for nothing," a guard scoffed, nudging the body.
Zodac, hidden in the shadows of the cloak, heard it all. He watched the man who raised him die while he stood powerless. Tears blurred his vision. Then, a soft voice curled in his ear like smoke: "It is time to go, Zodac. There is nothing more for you here."
Zodac wiped his tears, clutched his music box, and disappeared into the night like snow. A tale soaked in silence and blood—what awaits next?