The valley near the Ghadaran Kingdom burned with chaos.
Four tribes clashed fiercely across the battlefield, their war cries echoing against the surrounding mountains. The air trembled with the screams of the wounded and the thunder of marching soldiers. Steel collided with steel as warriors fought desperately, each tribe struggling for dominance.
Dust and smoke hung heavily in the sky, choking the battlefield. Arrows cut through the air like deadly rain while the earth shook beneath thousands of charging feet.
Yet above the battlefield, an even more terrifying battle was unfolding.
Three figures streaked across the sky like living storms.
Lightning flashed around their weapons as they collided midair, each clash releasing a violent shockwave that rippled down to the battlefield below. The force alone sent soldiers stumbling and banners snapping violently in the wind.
At the center of the clash was a young man clad in armor marked with royal insignia.
The Human Prince.
His body moved through the air with terrifying speed as he chased the two enemies before him. His sword flashed with streaks of light, every swing sharp, precise, and deadly.
His eyes burned with fury.
"Do you really think you'll leave this place alive after everything you've done today?" the prince shouted.
One of his enemies suddenly spun midair.
The Orc Lord.
His massive body twisted like a beast preparing to strike. Muscles bulged beneath thick green skin, and his savage grin revealed rows of sharp teeth.
"You knew this day would come," the Orc Lord growled.
His voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"This is your fate. You will never be our king!"
Below them, the tribes continued their brutal clash.
Warriors collided in savage combat, axes biting into shields and swords cutting through armor. Blood soaked the ground as the battlefield descended deeper into chaos.
But high above them, the clash between the three figures was something far beyond ordinary war.
Every strike carried enough force to shake the sky itself.
Their movements blurred through the air as lightning cracked and power exploded with every collision.
It was a battle that would decide the fate of the kingdom.
Then—
The world shattered.
A boy suddenly woke up.
His body trembled as he sat upright in bed, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Sweat soaked his clothes, and tears rolled down his cheeks without him understanding why.
His heart pounded violently against his ribs.
Strong arms gently wrapped around him.
"It's okay… it's okay," a soft voice whispered.
His mother held him tightly, gently stroking his hair.
Her warmth slowly calmed his racing heart.
Before long, exhaustion pulled him back into sleep.
Morning arrived peacefully.
Birds chirped in the trees outside, and a gentle breeze rolled across the fields surrounding the small farmhouse. The scent of breakfast drifted through the house, warm and comforting.
The boy slowly opened his eyes again.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in golden light.
Outside, the farm stretched peacefully across green fields. Animals grazed calmly in their pens, and the quiet countryside seemed worlds away from the chaos of the dream.
"Ah, you're awake," his mother said with a smile.
She stood by the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Come on, get ready so we can eat. You need to leave early for school."
The boy rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"Mom, I just woke up. Can I eat first and take a bath afterward?"
Before his mother could reply, another voice spoke from the table.
"Zi, come on now," his father laughed. "Don't get us both in trouble. You know what happens if your mom gets angry."
For a moment, silence hung in the air.
Then both parents burst out laughing.
The boy—Zi—couldn't help but laugh as well.
The warm sound filled the small farmhouse.
A short while later, Zi walked down the dusty path leading toward the village school.
The morning sun stretched long shadows across the road as villagers went about their daily routines.
Smoke rose lazily from chimneys.
Carts rolled along the road carrying goods to the market.
Farmers chatted while tending their animals.
Everything felt calm and ordinary.
Nothing like the battlefield in his dream.
Zi kicked a small stone along the path as he walked.
Then he heard hurried footsteps behind him.
"Hey! Zi! Wait for me!"
Zi turned around just in time to see a boy running toward him, waving wildly.
"Dan?"
Dan finally caught up, breathing heavily.
"Hey… aren't you supposed to be at school before me?" Zi asked.
Dan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I woke up late."
He quickly waved his hand dismissively.
"But let's not worry about that! We should pick up the pace or we'll both be late."
Zi chuckled.
"Fair enough."
The two boys walked side by side through the lively village.
Children ran past carrying baskets, shopkeepers arranged goods outside their stalls, and elders greeted them with nods as they passed.
Chickens clucked noisily in the streets while dogs barked at passing carts.
Laughter and conversation filled the morning air.
Soon the school building came into view.
Students gathered in the courtyard, standing in neat rows as the morning ceremony began.
The national anthem rose into the air, sung proudly by dozens of young voices.
Zi joined in, singing along with the others.
A familiar pride filled his chest as the song echoed across the courtyard and into the surrounding fields.
When the anthem ended, the students quietly filed into their classrooms.
Inside, the usual chatter filled the room as everyone settled into their seats.
Zi took his place by the window.
The teacher soon entered the room, placing a stack of books on the desk before turning to face the class.
"Good morning, everyone," the teacher said.
"Today, we will begin our lesson."
Zi rested his chin on his hand, staring out the window for a moment.
For some reason, the dream from earlier still lingered in his mind.
The battlefield.
The prince.
The sky filled with lightning.
He didn't know why…
But it felt strangely familiar.
As if it wasn't just a dream.
"Hey, Zi! Zi! Zi!"
The teacher's voice pierced through Zi's daydream like a sharp blade.
"Zi, what's wrong with you? Are you even listening?"
Zi blinked rapidly, startled, as if surfacing from a deep underwater trance.
"Sorry, ma'am… I was just—"
"No more excuses!" the teacher interrupted sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Come here to the front and solve this problem."
Zi's cheeks flushed slightly as he walked to the front of the classroom. He focused on the equation on the board, steadying his hands. After a few careful moments, he solved it correctly and returned to his seat.
Dan leaned closer, concern etched across his face.
"Bro… are you okay?"
Zi glanced out the window for a brief moment, still feeling the echo of his earlier dream, before giving a small nod.
"Yeah… just… a lot on my mind, I guess."
Dan frowned, but didn't push further, letting the moment pass.