In a rundown, ancient-looking building, men and women with unkempt appearances and worn-out clothing clustered together, sleeping peacefully. Though the room looked old and dilapidated, it didn't affect their rest.
Unfortunately, that couldn't be said for all of them. A young boy stared outside with a lost gaze. The dull, dark sky showed signs of breaking into day.
Sigh. Another day again, the boy said as he went back to the torn foam on the ground. He slowly closed his eyes as he muttered, "Instead of living this forsaken life, can't I just die happily? Is it too much to ask?..."
His hands slowly traced a massive scar shaped like a crescent. In the middle of the scar, a pupil-less eye slowly closed. He winced as his hand hovered over it.
"The cause of my misery… it still watches, huh? Everything changed after that day."
Two drops of tears slowly fell from his eyes, then he slept.
—
10 years ago...
"Promise me, no matter what happens, when we grow up… we'll get married," a little boy with amber eyes and dark hair said confidently as he looked at a girl.
"Y-yes, I will," the girl muttered under her breath, her cheeks turning red. Her black eyes shone a little as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Zei smiled, then he hugged her. "I love you, Selene."
"I love you too, Zei," she replied.
…
"Selene! Zei! Come down quickly! It's time for the Awakening Ceremony," a calm, feminine voice called out.
"We're coming!" they both echoed as they moved quickly down the stony stairs.
"Calm down, calm down. Are you two going to war? Why the rush?" the woman said as she chuckled.
"Sorry, Mum. I had to come fast because I'm eager to see what blessing the gods will give me," Zei said as he inhaled quick breaths and wiped sweat from his brow.
His mother's green eyes deepened a little as she looked at him. "Zei, the gods' blessings are decided by the gods. We mortals should be happy with whatever fate they have chosen for us," she said calmly as she placed her hand on Zei's shoulder.
"Yes, Mum," he muttered. "I just hope for the best so that I can brag to Dad, just like Zoan."
His mother chuckled. "Of course." Then she shifted her eyes to Selene. "And is that why you made my beautiful Selene run so fast? Hmm, Zei?" she said, trying to sound angry.
"I-it's not like that, Mum. She said she wanted to run too," Zei said pleadingly.
Selene let out a little laugh. "No, he didn't do anything, Countess Lyra," she said as she bowed slightly.
"Ever so modest, Selene. I told you, we're family now. A friend to Zei is a friend to the family," she said as she patted her on the head.
The sound of hooves slowly coming to a halt was heard from across the gate.
Lyra turned to both children. "The carriage is already here. Let's get going, so we won't be late for the Awakening Ceremony," she said as she slowly walked toward the door.
…
The carriage quickly went through the estate, passing lush green trees, its wheels moving quickly on the sandy ground.
"So, Mum, what affinity did the gods bless you with?" Zei said as his amber eyes looked at his mother excitedly.
"Oh, now you're asking?" she replied, amused. "I don't mind telling you, though. When I used my powers, you weren't even born yet."
"Wait, Mum, you were a war mage?" Zei said as he almost jumped on her.
She smiled. "Yes, Zei. I was a war mage, and I was among the strongest. When demons tried to destroy the country of Valeria, I was among the chosen few who stopped them."
"That's so cool, Mum! And ho—" Zei stopped mid-sentence as Selene interrupted him.
"Zei, calm down. I'm also here, you know," she said as she looked at him with a mocking gaze.
Then she turned her eyes to Lyra. "Countess Lyra, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but which affinity were you blessed with?"
Lyra's smile broadened. "The gods blessed me with a fire affinity," she said calmly as a thin red flame rose from her palm.
Both Zei and Selene's faces slowly turned white.
"I-I can't believe this. My own mum is a mage," Zei muttered under his breath as a grin slowly spread across his face.
Selene just went quiet and stared with wide eyes.
Lyra laughed at their reactions. "This is our secret," she said calmly, then winked toward Zei.
Suddenly, the carriage came to a stop.
"We're here," Lyra said as she opened the carriage door.
A massive white castle stood in the middle of the city. Blue flames burned above each part of the building, forming a ring.
Zei stood a short distance from the entrance, staring at the building in awe.
"The Tower of the Gods," Selene muttered, looking in disbelief.
Zei slowly got over his shock and looked toward Selene. "You know about this place?"
"Yes, I know. Why?" she said, confused. "Your older brother didn't tell you?"
Zei's eyes slowly lost their shimmer as he looked toward the ground. "M-my brother and I don't talk. He's afraid that when I awaken, I'll be more powerful than him, making Father focus more on me than on him."
Lyra gently touched her son's face as she bent down to look him in the eyes. "Powerful or not, you're my son, and nothing will change that," she said softly as she hugged him.
Zei hugged her back. "Thanks, Mum," he said slowly.
Lyra stood up, taking Zei and Selene by the hand. "Let's go up before it's late," she said as she took a step forward, moving toward the clean white stairs. Zei and Selene quickly followed her lead.
Immediately, a presence passed through each of them. When it reached Zei, it held him for more than a second before releasing him.
Zei looked confused as he staggered, then slowly regained his balance.
What's going on? he thought.
—
Two white eyes slowly opened in a dark room with no source of light.
"Is that you, brother… the fallen one?"