[Ten Years Later]
Laughter rang across the barren desert of Zephyrron as the three siblings, Shen Yue, Mei Lin, and their youngest, Tian Dao, raced beneath a sky choked with storm clouds.
Mei Lin rode atop a black horse, her single hand steady on the reins, while Shen Yue and Tian Dao sprinted across the cracked, wind-swept earth. Ahead of them, a deer dashed through the wasteland, it was larger and far healthier than any prey they had caught in months.
None of them intended to let it escape. It was more than just a hunt, it was survival, a chance to quiet the relentless hunger clawing at their stomachs.
Shen Yue cast a sharp glance at Tian Dao and gave a subtle nod.
He understood immediately. Gripping the rope tightly, Tian Dao surged forward. Despite his younger age, his movements were swift and precise. He chased the deer across the uneven terrain until it faltered, cornered at last by the relentless pursuit. With a single leap, he mounted the struggling animal, securing the rope firmly around it.
The deer cried out, it's a raw desperate sound. Its eyes shimmered with eerily as if pleading for mercy.
Tian Dao turned his gaze away. He did not want to hurt it. But mercy had no place in Zephyrron. If he hesitated, it would not be the deer that starved—it would be them.
Shen Yue approached and slung an arm over his shoulder, his tone light yet laced with curiosity.
"You know, Tian Dao, I've been wondering about you," he said. "Every time you come with us, we end up catching something big like this."
"Most likely, it's just a coincidence," Tian Dao replied calmly.
Shen Yue scoffed. "You always say strange things."
"Hurry up and help us carry it," Mei Lin called out from atop her horse. "We don't have all day."
Above them, thunder roared once more. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the dark, smoke-filled horizon. Dust rose in restless waves from the desert floor, carried by harsh winds that never seemed to cease.
Years had passed, yet nothing had changed. Zephyrron remained a land forsaken, its soil dry and lifeless, its creatures growing thinner with each passing season. Without the water that flowed from Mount Dao, it was certain that no human settlement would have survived here at all.
"What right do you have to take what belongs to me, poor creations?" The sudden voice cut through the air like a blade.
Though entry into Zephyrron was forbidden to most holy cities, there were always those who ignored such laws.
A group of outsiders stood before them. Their hair was stark white, it's a mark unmistakable to the people of Zephyrron. They were from Sabbath, the neighboring holy city. At their center stood an older man, flanked by three armed guards. His posture was proud, his gaze condescending, as though the siblings were nothing more than insects beneath his notice.
Then his eyes fell on Tian Dao.
This kid has black hair.
Disgust flickered across his face, quickly followed by recognition. His gaze swept across the three of them, taking in Mei Lin's missing arm, Shen Yue's horn, and Tian Dao's dark hair. Understanding dawned at him.
A low, mocking laugh escaped his lips. "No wonder you were exiled to this wretched place," the man sneered. "You are nothing but eyesores and carriers of misfortune to our holy city."
Rage flared instantly within Mei Lin and Shen Yue, but Tian Dao stepped forward, shaking his head gently to stop them. Then to their shock, Tian Dao bowed to the old man.
"Sir, if this deer belongs to you, we will not contest it," Tian Dao said with quiet respect.
"Tian Dao…" Shen Yue began, but Mei Lin held him back.
The old man raised a brow, momentarily surprised by the boy's composure. He studied Tian Dao for a brief moment before letting out a dismissive chuckle.
"Tian Dao…" he repeated, as if committing the name to memory. Then he turned away, gesturing for his guards to follow. "No need," he said coldly. "My meal has already been tainted by pests."
With those last words and insults, they left.
Mei Lin and Shen Yue exhaled in relief, unaware that the group's interest had never truly been the deer.
"You shouldn't have done that," Mei Lin said, glancing at Tian Dao.
Though he was six years younger than them, Tian Dao possessed knowledge far beyond his years, gained from countless books he had studied about the world beyond Zephyrron. The Holy Cities.
He shook his head. "Mother warned us not to go near the borders," he replied. "If we angered them, the entire village could suffer for the sake of one deer. And we would be punished as well."
"But you heard what he said about us," Shen Yue snapped.
"He's right," Mei Lin admitted after a pause, resting the rope across his shoulder while restraining Shen Yue. "It's better this way."
"You—"
"I only have one arm," Mei Lin added with a teasing smirk, cutting him off.
The tension eased, though the storm above remained as violent as ever. They began their journey back to the village, carrying their catch.
But Tian Dao slowed for a while, a lingering unease settled in his chest. Something is wrong with the group of men. He glanced at his siblings, watching them bicker as they walked. A faint smile touched his lips but it did little to ease his growing concern.
Something about that encounter felt wrong. And he feared it would change everything.
"Mother! Elder Wujin! Elder Xuan!" Shen Yue's voice rang with excitement as they entered the village.
He and Mei Lin hurried forward, while Tian Dao followed behind more quietly, offering a respectful smile to the two elder leaders of Zephyrron.
"We caught a healthy one!" Shen Yue announced proudly. "We won't go hungry for three days!"
A booming laugh erupted from Elder Wujin.
"Is that so? You didn't have to go this far, we could have handled it," he said, ruffling Shen Yue and Mei Lin's hair before turning his gaze to Tian Dao.
Even then, he had long noticed the boy's quiet nature so unlike the others of his age. Tian Dao bowed deeply.
"But what's the point of training if we don't use it to catch food?" Shen Yue argued boldly.
"Tian Dao caught it," Mei Lin corrected, Shen Yue's expression says it all.
Tian Dao shook his head. "I couldn't have done it without Shen Yue and Mei Lin's guidanced, Elder Wujin."
Shen Yue grinned triumphantly at Mei Lin. "See? He said my name too."
Mei Lin simply rolled her eyes.
"It's better if we prepare it now," Elder Xuan interjected calmly. "Skin and clean it for cooking."
Shen Yue and Mei Lin followed his instructions, leaving Tian Dao alone with Elder Wujin.
The elder's expression shifted. "Speak your mind, Tian Dao." he said.
Tian Dao bowed once more before speaking. "We encountered soldiers from Sabbath earlier."
Wujin did not appear surprised. "And how are you certain that they're really from Sabbath?"
"They are easy to recognize," Tian Dao replied. "Aside from their white hair, they bear a mark on their foreheads, it's a crescent symbol. It is said to be a blessing from their God of Light, Sabbath."
Wujin studied him with quiet admiration. Xuan's teachings had not been wasted on this child. Despite being the youngest, Tian Dao showed the greatest potential, both in mind and in physical appearance.
A flicker of sorrow crossed Wujin's face. If only these children had been born elsewhere… under better skies.
"What do you think we should do?" he asked, his gaze drifting toward the storm-dark horizon.
Tian Dao lifted his head. "Strengthen our training," he said firmly. "Push us beyond what we are used to. Teach us how to fight properly. So that when they come… you won't have to protect our village."
Wujin fell silent. Xuan had been right all this time that Tian Dao might truly be Zephyrron's hope. But he was still a child. And if the seal upon his power were broken too soon… his body might not withstand it.
After a long pause, Wujin exhaled.
"Very well," he said. "We begin tomorrow."
Tian Dao nodded, a quiet sense of triumph in his eyes. Yet he did not know that this training would not simply make them stronger. It would awaken them to the cruel truth of the world they lived in.