Ten years ago, on an island in the middle of the ocean, everything was peaceful. The village was full of life, with children playing, neighbors laughing, and a calm ocean breeze carrying the sound of joy. But that peace didn't last.
One night, a fire spread through the village, consuming everything in its path. The wooden houses burned to ashes, and thick black smoke filled the air. Villagers screamed and ran, desperately searching for safety. The chaos was overwhelming, and no one knew where to go.
Amid the disaster, a woman clung tightly to her two children. The little girl, who seemed around seven or eight, cried loudly, her small body trembling with fear. Her older brother, who looked about nine, held onto his mother, trying to stay brave. The mother covered them with her arms, shielding them from the smoke and debris, as she ran through the village, searching for a safe place.
Then an idea struck her—there was a basement in the village where food and supplies were stored. It wasn't far. Without hesitation, she headed straight for it, the fire roaring behind her.
When they reached the basement, the mother quickly opened the door and hurriedly pushed her children inside. The two children cried harder, their faces streaked with tears and soot.
"Listen to me," she said, kneeling down to their level. Her voice shook, but she tried to sound calm. "You must stay here and not move. Watch over each other, no matter what happens."
The little girl clung to her, sobbing, "Mama, don't leave us!"
The boy's lips trembled as he looked at his mother, fear in his golden eyes.
The mother placed her hands on his shoulders. "Roy, you're the older brother. You must protect your sister. Do you understand me?"
Roy, strong and independent, nodded with determination, despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. "I will. I promise."
Mei, though young, was already showing the intelligence that would later define her. She was stubborn, and in this moment, her cleverness and maturity showed as she grabbed her brother's hand and wiped away her tears, her gaze sharp despite her fear. "Don't worry, Roy. We'll be fine. You've always been there for me."
The mother smiled sadly, brushing her hand over her daughter's hair. Her tears fell freely now, but she tried to hide them. "I love you both so much," she whispered.
Then, before they could stop her, she closed the door and locked it from the outside. The children pounded on the door, crying out for her, but she turned away, her heart breaking with every step.
"It's my duty to protect you," she whispered to herself, wiping her tears. "I won't let the enemy find you two. Never."
She faced the shadowy figures who had set the village on fire. Their shapes were hard to make out in the smoke and flames, but they carried weapons, their intentions clear.
The mother stood her ground. Even if it cost her life, she wouldn't let them discover her children. And in the end, her sacrifice was not in vain.
Two days later, the fire had burned itself out, leaving the village in ruins. A few survivors searched through the ashes, desperate to find anyone alive. That was when they found the basement.
The door creaked open, and inside, they found the two children. Mei, despite the trauma, had a look of calm intelligence in her eyes, her mind already processing everything that had happened. Roy, on the other hand, had a more naive innocence to him, still reeling from the loss but holding strong as he clung to his sister.
The survivors took the children in, trying to help them heal. But the pain of that night never left them.
Ten years passed. The village was rebuilt, but the memory of the fire lingered like a scar.
On a hill overlooking the ocean, two figures stood side by side. Roy, now nineteen, had grown into a strong and reliable young man. His body was toned from years of training, and his resolve had been sharpened by the need to protect the village and his sister. His joyful demeanor and positive attitude masked a fierce determination to defend those he loved. Despite his strength, Roy could sometimes act impulsively, rushing into situations without fully thinking them through. But his heart was always in the right place.
Beside him, Mei, now eighteen, had become a beautiful and sharp young woman. While she had inherited her mother's strength and grace, her mind was her greatest weapon. Mei had become just as skilled at fighting as Roy, training alongside him to protect their home. Her intelligence and quick thinking made her the calm, rational one in their partnership. She was vigilant, always aware of her surroundings, and quick to notice the smallest details others might miss. Mei was stubborn, though, often challenging her brother's decisions when she felt they were too reckless. Despite their frequent arguments, they shared a deep, unspoken understanding of each other. Mei was the reason, the wise decision-maker, while Roy was the protector—the one who would stand up to anyone for her.
They fought often, especially when Roy's hot-headed nature clashed with Mei's careful planning, but the bond they shared was unshakable. Though their personalities were different, their love for each other and their desire to protect the village kept them united.
The past had marked them both, shaping who they had become. Roy, perhaps a bit more naive than Mei, still held onto hope and optimism, while Mei, ever vigilant and aware, often had to remind him of the harsh realities they faced. But through it all, they had each other—and that would always be enough.
Roy stood off to the side, sword in hand, showing off his moves to a group of the younger survivors. His technique was flawless—strong, precise, and—above all—impressive. He was enjoying every moment of it.
Meanwhile, Mei was busy planting seeds, her hands carefully pressing them into the soil. Her focus was on the task at hand, but she couldn't help but glance over at Roy every now and then. She sighed, irritation creeping up on her.
"Roy! Can you focus for once?" Mei called out, her voice sharp. "We're still rebuilding the village! There's so much work to do. Showing off isn't going to help us right now!"
Roy paused mid-swing and grinned at her. "Why are you always so serious, Mei? It's not bad to enjoy ourselves while working, right? You're going to be single for the rest of your life if you keep being so uptight!" He winked, clearly amused by his own words.
Mei's eyes narrowed, a vein in her forehead twitching. Without a second thought, she threw her sickle straight at Roy's head.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Roy yelped, barely ducking in time. His heart raced, but he was able to avoid the strike. The sickle embedded itself into the ground behind him, quivering with deadly intent.
"Are you insane?!" Roy sputtered, his heart pounding in his chest.
Mei stood with her arms crossed, her gaze icy. "If you ever say that again, Roy, I'll make sure you don't survive the next throw," she said, her voice calm but dangerously stern.
Roy looked up, eyes wide. He lowered his head with exaggerated meekness, hands raised in surrender. "Sorry, madam," he mumbled, his voice shaky. He then grinned sheepishly. "Maybe I deserved that."
Mei let out a heavy sigh and tossed her hair back over her shoulders. Her middle-length hair cascaded elegantly as she turned to face him, clearly annoyed, but also just a bit amused by his antics.
"Seriously, Roy," she muttered, "you're lucky I haven't killed you yet."
Roy raised his hands in mock defense. "Hey, I'm just trying to keep things light, Mei! We've been through so much... might as well enjoy the little things, right?"
Mei rolled her eyes. "If you keep acting like this, you won't even be around to enjoy anything."
"Okay, okay, I'll tone it down," Roy said, now genuinely apologetic. "But no more threats, alright? I'm fragile."
Mei shot him a look but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "I'll try to remember that... for now."
Despite the back-and-forth, the bond between them was undeniable. Even though they argued, they both knew that their relationship—however chaotic—was built on years of shared hardships and love.
Suddenly, a group of unknown individuals appeared at the village entrance. Their presence was menacing, and they called out for Roy and Mei, now the heads of the village.
Mei stepped forward, her tone sharp. "Who are you? How can we help you?" She eyed them cautiously, while Roy stood beside her, glaring sharply at the strangers.
One of the men, a tall figure with a sneer, spoke. "You're quite brave to speak to us like this. Well, we're here to take over the village. We'd like you to empty it... immediately."
Without thinking, Roy moved toward them, ready to defend the village. But Mei grabbed his hand, stopping him from rushing into action.
"They want the village? How can we just let them take it?" Roy asked, frustration building.
Mei took a deep breath before speaking, her voice measured and firm. "What if we offer you the riches we've gathered over the years? In exchange, you'll leave us in peace. Let us keep the village."
The man and his group, who were armed and intimidating, chuckled darkly.
"Ha, very funny. But here's the deal: I'll give you one day to leave. This village is no longer yours," the man said, his voice cold and confident.
Mei's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that? The village isn't ours? And what debts are you talking about?"
The man smirked. "You should ask your mother, not me."
Mei froze, her confusion growing. "What do you mean by that? What does my mother have to do with this?"
Before the man could answer, they all noticed an old lady watching them from a distance. She had been a neighbor to Mei and Roy's mother for many years. The man's eyes flicked toward her, and he sneered.
"Look at this old lady. She seems to know something," he said, gesturing toward her.
Without warning, the group began to advance toward her. Roy reacted instantly, jumping in front of the old woman to shield her from the attackers. He managed to avoid a strike aimed at her, but the group quickly backed off, realizing the situation was growing tense.
The man turned to leave, his voice laced with finality. "You have one day to vacate. We'll be back for what's ours."
Roy's blood boiled. He was about to run after them, but Mei held him back, her grip steady.
"Wait," she said, her voice calm but determined. "We need to speak with Lady Margaret first."
Roy hesitated but finally nodded. They turned to face the old lady, who stood in shock, clearly shaken by the encounter. Mei and Roy knew they needed to get to the bottom of what had just happened, and Lady Margaret was the key to uncovering the truth.
Lady Margaret, though injured and laying on the floor, spoke with a voice full of urgency. "Listen to me, Roy, Mei… I'm just an old woman, and I don't have much time left. But I have something important to give you."
Mei, her heart racing, leaned closer. "You… you said it's from our mother?"
Lady Margaret nodded slowly. "Before your mother's death, she gave me a letter to deliver to you when you were older. Now, it's time for you to have it."
Roy, confused, glanced at Mei, who looked equally stunned. "A letter from her?" Mei asked, disbelief in her voice.
The old woman sighed. "I don't know what it says, but she wanted you to have it. The letter is in my locker."
She handed them the keys, and with a mix of trepidation and curiosity, Roy and Mei made their way to the locker. They both hesitated for a moment before opening it, unsure of what they would find. Inside, nestled among old belongings, was the letter—faded, yet unmistakably from their mother.
As Mei began to read aloud, her voice trembled with emotion:
"Dear my children,
Reading this letter means that you've grown up well, I guess. I'm sorry for not telling you about your origins. I was escaping from your father's clan for specific reasons. You should go find him, because the people who attacked this village are connected to him. There are many things you'll discover, and they are harsh truths about the world we live in. Your father's clan is very powerful and dangerous. I had to hide your existence to protect you. I was selfish, thinking I could live peacefully. But I realize now that I was wrong. I've made you both suffer and despair because of my choices.
Please don't fight them. They are far too powerful. You need to find your father, and only then will you uncover the full truth. I hope both of you will look after each other. You are very special, and as long as you're together, everything will be fine. Please forgive me, my poor children.
With all my love,
Your mother, Sofia."
Tears welled up in both Roy and Mei's eyes as the weight of their mother's words sank in. Anger, frustration, and a deep sense of guilt swirled inside them. Mei struggled to hold back her tears, feeling a storm of emotions she couldn't control.
Roy clenched his fists, his frustration turning to action. "I'm going after them. They're the ones who did this. They're the ones who attacked the village!"
Mei grabbed his arm, her voice steady but full of concern. "Roy, wait! We need to think this through. It's not just about revenge it's about finding the truth."
Roy, consumed by his emotions, started running toward the village entrance, desperate to find the dangerous men who had threatened their home. His mind was clouded with thoughts of vengeance, the anger boiling inside him at the thought of his mother's sacrifice.
But then Mei's voice, calm yet firm, cut through the haze of his rage. "Roy, stop!"
He froze, turning around to find Mei standing behind him, her expression a mixture of concern and determination. "Mei, they're the ones who did this to us... to our village," Roy said, his voice tight with frustration. "We can't just let them get away with it."
Mei exhaled slowly, trying to keep herself grounded despite the growing tension. "I know, Roy. I understand your anger. But rushing into this won't help us. We need answers. Lady Margaret... she might know something more. We need to talk to her."
Roy hesitated for a moment, the weight of his desire for action still heavy on his chest, but Mei's words sank in. With a reluctant sigh, he nodded. "Alright, let's go."
They headed back to Lady Margaret's home, where the old woman was resting on her bed, her frail body supported by pillows. When they entered, Lady Margaret looked up at them with tired eyes but smiled faintly.
"Your mother's last request," Lady Margaret began, her voice shaky but resolute, "was for me to deliver this letter to both of you when the time came. That time is now."
She handed them a weathered envelope, sealed with care, and placed her hand gently on Mei's. "You must leave this island and the village of Mirasu. Find your path, and don't worry about us. We'll be fine. Your fate... your future... is different from ours."
Mei's heart skipped a beat, confusion filling her mind. "Lady Margaret... Why did Mom hide all of this from us? Why keep the truth from us all these years?"
Lady Margaret's grip on Mei's hand tightened, a sorrowful expression crossing her face. "Isn't it obvious, Mei? I thought you were the thoughtful one. Your mother hid this truth because she knew what would happen if you learned it too soon. The world outside... it's dangerous. It's a world you have no idea about. She kept you safe, protected you from it, but now..." Lady Margaret paused, taking a slow breath. "Now that you're both growing, the time has come. Things will be different from here on out."
Roy's face tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "That's not a reason to just leave the village. We have a responsibility to our home. If these men are here, maybe it's our fault, maybe we should've done more to protect the village."
Mei nodded in agreement, her voice steady. "Yes, we can't just run away like cowards. This is our village, and we have a duty to protect it."
Lady Margaret's expression softened, but there was a trace of regret in her eyes. "You don't understand, Roy. They're more powerful than you. Far more than you could ever imagine. These people come from a world much darker than you realize, a world you're not prepared for. Your mother protected you by keeping you in the dark, but now that you're both becoming who you truly are... the time has come for you to learn the truth. But you can't stay here. You can't protect this place forever. You've done what you could, but you need to leave before it's all gone."
Roy's heart ached with the weight of her words, the loss of the only home they'd known now seeming inevitable. Mei, her face pale with the weight of everything she was hearing, squeezed Lady Margaret's hand. "We'll find another way. We can't just give up."
Lady Margaret closed her eyes briefly, as if the decision was already made in her heart. "You have no choice now. This world is bigger than you know, and it's not kind. But you are strong. Stronger than you think. But this village... it's not your place anymore. You have to leave."
Silence fell over the room, the gravity of Lady Margaret's words sinking in. Roy and Mei shared a look, both struggling with the same painful realization
Roy, filled with frustration and anger, tried to break free, but Mei grasped his hands tightly, her voice trembling.
Mei, uncertain but determined, spoke softly, "She's right, Roy. We can't protect them by staying. We're not strong enough to fight them, and if we leave, maybe they'll follow us... and the village will be safe."
Roy, furious, snapped, "So you're just going to abandon them for your own sake?"
Mei stood her ground, her voice shaking with emotion. "Think clearly, Roy. If we stay, we risk everything. But if we leave, maybe... maybe they'll leave this village alone. We can't face them here."
Roy, feeling the sting of Mei's words, turned his back. "I thought you were smarter than this. They just want us gone. They'll destroy everything if we stay."
Mei's fists clenched, frustration rising within her. "I know, but I can't lose you, Roy. I... I can't bear the thought of being left alone. You're all I have left. Can't I be selfish just this once and protect you?"
Roy was taken aback by the rawness in Mei's voice, her tears threatening to fall. He pulled his hand away, surprised by her sudden emotional outburst. "Mei... What's wrong with you? You've never been like this. You're so emotional... Come back to your senses. Nothing will happen to me. I'm almost... too powerful to be hurt."
Mei's voice cracked, her eyes full of tears she fought to hold back. "Can't you stop being so optimistic for once? I hate the idea of leaving... but I can't think clearly right now. I don't know what the world outside is like, and I'm scared. I'm scared we might regret it... that we'll face even worse danger. I'm afraid of losing you... I can't even think straight."
Roy, his jaw clenched with determination, replied, "I know, but being optimistic is all we have right now. We'll protect this village together and uncover the truth together."
Mei shook her head, the weight of everything pressing down on her. "It feels like a losing battle, Roy. Being optimistic won't change anything. But there's something I've always wondered... something strange about Lady Margaret. She's always sent me signals, codes... I never understood them. Why did she bother raising us? Teaching us? She knew this day would come, but at what cost?"
Roy looked at her with concern but tried to reassure her. "You're overthinking it, Mei. Let's focus on a plan, and we'll figure this out."
Before they could discuss further, Lady Margaret, weak and frail, reached out with a trembling hand, gripping both Roy's and Mei's hands tightly. "Please, children," she said softly, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "I've raised you tough. Now... it's time for you to leave, not fight. Trust me with the rest. Your mother's wishes might still be fulfilled if you do. Leave... and trust me."
Roy's chest tightened, but he protested, "But—"
Lady Margaret interrupted him gently. "Strength isn't always about fighting, Roy. Sometimes it's about knowing when to retreat. There are no buts. Trust me. Gather your things and leave. That's all you need to do. Mei, follow your logic, not your heart this time. I know you well."
Mei's eyes flickered to Roy, torn between her heart and Lady Margaret's words. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Let's gather our things and leave, Roy. If I ever regret this, you can blame me later, but... this time, I have to listen. We have no choice."
Roy stared at her, still reluctant. "What are you talking about, Mei?"
Mei gathered their essentials—food, weapons, maps—her mind racing with every possible outcome. Roy joined her, his face still filled with doubt, but he followed her lead. As they prepared to leave, Mei was surprised when Roy appeared at her side.
"You came," she said, astonished.
"Do you really think I'd leave you on your own?" Roy answered, his voice softer now. "If anything unusual happens, we'll come back. That's the only solution."
Together, they boarded a small boat and started sailing away from the village, their hearts heavy with uncertainty. But as they neared the open water, smoke began to rise from the village. Panic filled Mei's chest, and she started having trouble breathing. Roy, alarmed, immediately began steering the boat back toward the village.
Suddenly, a large boat appeared out of nowhere, colliding with theirs. The force of the impact sent them both flying into the water, the cold ocean swallowing them up. Their bodies were tossed and pulled by the waves, only to wash up on a distant shore, far from their village.