A dark battlefield lay silent beneath a dim sky, as if a brutal battle had only just ended.
In the middle of the field stood a man clad in golden-silver armor.
His body was covered in wounds. He leaned heavily on his long sword, the blade buried deep in the ground before him, using it to keep himself standing.
Around him stood five wooden dolls.
Each of them was half his height. Their carved faces looked disturbingly human, and their small bodies trembled constantly, vibrating as if something inside them was alive.
Then suddenly, five different voices spoke at once.
"Hehehehe… You cannot kill me. I will return… and when I do, I will destroy this world."
The same words echoed from all five dolls.
The armored man slowly lifted his head. Despite his injuries, his eyes were calm.
"I know you will return," he said quietly.
"But they still hope."
For a brief moment, silence filled the battlefield.
Then the dolls suddenly shot into the air.
In an instant they scattered, each flying in a different direction across the dark sky.
The man watched them disappear into the distance.
Then he murmured strange, incomprehensible words.
"¶§∆~↓∞≈‰."
•~~~•
Alon suddenly woke up with a sharp breath.
For a moment he just sat there, his heart pounding as if he had just run a long distance. The dream still lingered in his mind, heavy and unsettling.
When he turned his head, he noticed someone standing beside him.
"Lucas? What are you doing here?" he asked, confused.
Lucas looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. He had a slightly chubby build, but his round face gave him a friendly and approachable look.
"It's lunchtime," Lucas replied. "I brought your lunch today. Are you okay? You looked like you were having a nightmare."
Alon rubbed the back of his neck, still trying to shake off the strange feeling.
"Sorry… I was just tired. I thought I'd take a quick nap."
Lucas glanced around the room before speaking again.
"It looks like Derrick was absent today too. Want to come with me to his house?"
Alon's expression immediately grew more serious.
"Yeah… I was thinking the same thing. It's been a long time since he came to school. Maybe he's sick again. We should go check on him."
•~~~•
Not long after, the two boys were walking through the quiet streets toward their friend Derrick's house.
Along the way, they ran into Joseph.
Joseph was a middle-aged man and the head of the nation's archaeology department. He was also Derrick's father's closest friend, which was why he knew Alon and Lucas well.
"Well, if it isn't you two," Joseph said with a warm smile. "Heading to see Derrick?"
"Yes, Uncle Joseph," Alon replied. "It's been a while since we last saw him."
Joseph nodded.
"Good. Go check on him. That boy spends far too much time indoors."
Alon forced a small smile, though worry was clear in his eyes.
Derrick had been physically weak since childhood. His silver hair and red eyes made him stand out, but the doctors said his condition was caused by a genetic problem. Both of his parents had fragile health, but Derrick's body was even weaker than theirs.
"Alright, Uncle. See you later," Lucas said as they waved goodbye.
"After both boys leave, a shadowy figure silently appears behind Joseph. Joseph suddenly turns his head, his eyes widening in fear. 'Who… who are you all?'"
•~~~•
Soon, they arrived at Derrick's house.
Lucas pressed the doorbell.
After a moment, the door opened and Derrick's mother greeted them warmly.
"Oh, Lucas. Alon. It's nice to see you both. Derrick is in his room. You can go upstairs."
"Thank you, aunt Amelia," Lucas replied politely.
The two boys walked down the hallway and stopped in front of Derrick's room.
Alon reached for the door and slowly pushed it open.
The moment they looked inside, both of them froze.
Their eyes widened in shock.
"Derrick!!"