The evening sky, once a soft shade of amber, was now marred by streaks of crimson, as though the heavens themselves were bleeding in response to the horrors about to unfold. The gentle breeze that had carried the scent of apples now felt unnaturally cold, and the sound of laughter from the village children faded, replaced by a heavy, suffocating silence that pressed against Sia's chest. The young girl, barely six, skipped along the path back to her village, her basket swaying with every step. Her heart raced with the pure joy of childhood, imagining the delighted faces of her friends as she shared the apples she had picked, the laughter that would fill the air beneath the tall oak tree.
But as she approached the village, the world around her began to shift. The air that once smelled of apples now carried the harsh scent of smoke, and the laughter that had filled the village moments ago was drowned out by the cacophony of screams. Sia's small heart raced—her world was turning upside down, but she couldn't understand why. The warm, golden glow of the setting sun gave way to an ominous red hue, and thick plumes of smoke rose into the sky like serpents, twisting and curling in ways she had never seen.
"Wh-what… what's happening?" she whispered, her voice trembling as she took hesitant steps forward.
The once-peaceful village was now a nightmare. Houses burned with ferocious intensity, the flames licking hungrily at the wooden beams, consuming everything in their path. Shadows moved in the chaos—figures cloaked in black, their weapons glinting in the firelight as they unleashed havoc on the defenseless villagers. Sia stood frozen, her small frame trembling as tears welled up in her wide, fearful eyes.
"Mama? Papa?" she called, her voice barely audible over the chaos. Her bare feet moved instinctively, carrying her forward as though the act of searching would somehow bring back the normalcy she had known just moments ago. She stumbled over debris, the hem of her dress catching on splinters, but she didn't stop.
She reached the familiar path that led to her home, her heart pounding with a mix of hope and dread. The house stood crooked, its walls scorched and its windows shattered. Sia's breath hitched as she stepped inside. "Mama?" she called softly, her voice cracking.
Then she saw it. Her mother lay sprawled on the floor, her once-vibrant dress soaked in crimson. Blood pooled around her, glinting eerily in the flickering firelight. A deep, jagged wound tore through her abdomen, and a bullet hole marred her forehead. Her lifeless eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, her face frozen in an expression of pain and terror.
The coldness of her mother's hand was more than Sia could bear. It was an alien chill, one that no warmth or love could undo. Her world collapsed in on itself, and the only sound that filled her ears was her own ragged breath, barely able to hold back the flood of sobs. She crawled forward on trembling hands and knees, her small voice quivering.
"Mama… wake up… please."
Her fingers reached out to touch her mother's hand, but it was cold—so cold. "Mama…"
The word barely escaped her lips before her voice broke into a sob. Tears streamed down her cheeks, blurring her vision as she rocked back and forth, clutching her arms around her knees. The innocence of her world shattered in that moment.
"Papa," she whispered, the word a fragile lifeline. She scrambled to her feet, her movements clumsy as she stumbled out of the house, her eyes darting wildly. "Papa! Where are you? Mama's hurt—she's…"
She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. She ran through the burning streets, dodging falling debris and the bodies of villagers who had been unable to escape. Her tiny chest heaved with each breath as she pushed forward, the smell of smoke and blood filling her lungs.
Then, she saw him.
Her father stood in the center of the chaos, his aura crackling with raw power as he directed villagers toward safety. His once-calm face was contorted with anger, his fists clenched as he confronted the advancing soldiers of Dreadspire.
"Papa!" Sia screamed, her voice rising above the roar of the flames. Thalor's head snapped toward her, his eyes widening in panic.
"Sia! What are you doing here?"
She ran toward him, her small legs carrying her as fast as they could. But before she could reach him, the soldiers surrounded him, their weapons gleaming menacingly.
"Your little princess, huh?" one of them sneered, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Sia. "She's cute for a six-year-old. Maybe we can sell her… or keep her for ourselves."
Thalor's eyes burned with rage, his body trembling with disgust. "Don't you dare touch her!" he roared, his voice echoing through the chaos. "Sia, my sweetheart—run! Just run!"
Sia froze, her legs refusing to move.
"No, Papa! I won't leave you!"
The soldiers lunged at Thalor, and he fought with a ferocity she had never seen before. His magic crackled in the air as he struck them down one by one, his movements fueled by desperation. But there were too many of them. A blade pierced his side, and he staggered. Blood poured from the wound, staining his clothes as he continued to fight.
Sia's screams turned into desperate, helpless wails, but her father's fight was fading. Each movement was slower, his strength giving way to the oncoming darkness. Finally, one of the soldiers raised a gun, the barrel gleaming in the firelight.
"Papa!" Sia shrieked, reaching out toward him.
The gunshot echoed through the village. Thalor fell to his knees, his gaze turning toward his daughter. Blood trickled down his temple as he whispered his final words: "Just survive, Sia… You'll understand this world one day."
His body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Sia stood frozen, her tiny hands trembling as she stared at her father's body. Tears streamed down her face, her sobs silent now, as though her voice had been stolen by the horror before her. One of the soldiers stepped toward her, his grin cruel.
Looks like your daddy couldn't save you, little girl."
Another chuckled darkly.
"Maybe she's ready to accept her fate now."
Sia closed her eyes, her heart shattering into pieces. She stood still, her small frame filled with despair as she waited for whatever cruel fate awaited her.
Before the soldiers could touch her, a shadow moved through the flames—a figure cloaked in black, silent as death. Seer emerged, his twin daggers flashing as he struck down the nearest soldier in one fluid motion. The others barely had time to react before he was upon them, his movements a blur of precision and fury.
Even as he fought, Seer's vision was stolen by a slash across his eyes—a blinding pain that sent him reeling. But his otherworldly ability to detect auras guided his every move. He fought through the agony, his strikes precise despite the blood dripping into his face. He was unstoppable.
As the last soldier fell, Seer turned to Sia, his face twisted with agony but his expression softening as he knelt before her.
"You're safe now," he said gently, his voice firm despite the blood dripping from his wounds. His unseeing eyes glowed faintly, still able to read her aura and guide his actions.
He reached out a hand, his blind eyes glowing faintly. "Come with me."
Sia stared at him, her tears still flowing. Slowly, she reached for his hand, her tiny fingers gripping his tightly. Seer's hand, warm despite the blood, was the first light she had seen in what felt like an eternity of darkness. It wasn't just his touch that brought hope—it was the silent promise in his eyes that said she was not alone. For the first time since the nightmare began, Sia felt a faint flicker of hope.
(Back to present)
The flickering light of the campfire cast long, dancing shadows across the tent's interior. The crackle of the fire filled the silence, a warm, comforting sound that stood in stark contrast to the weight of the conversation. Seer sat cross-legged on a thick mat, his blind eyes gazing into the void, as though the world outside no longer mattered. Though he could not see, his presence filled the room like a steady flame, exuding warmth and reassurance. Across from him sat Sia and Arnold—two young warriors whose lives had been forged in pain but tempered by love and resilience. For years, Seer had been their anchor, the hand that had pulled them from a life riddled with horrors and offered them a chance to rebuild. To him, they were not merely protégés. They were family. He could still see the frightened children they had once been—haunted, clinging to fragments of a life they could barely remember. Time and care had hardened them into something else entirely.
Seer's task had not been an easy one. Mending what the world had shattered was monumental, yet amidst the despair, Arnold had been the first to find light. His relentless humor became a balm for Sia's quiet sorrow, a force of nature she could not resist.
"Why do you always look so serious, Big Sis?" Arnold said, his grin mischievous, as he crouched beside her. "What, did a frog tell you a bad joke?"
Sia blinked at him, her usual stoicism faltering. The confusion on her face softened, almost unwillingly, into a small, reluctant giggle.
"See? That's what I'm talking about!" Arnold declared triumphantly, puffing out his chest like a conquering hero. "You can't walk around like some grumpy knight all the time. That's my job!"
Despite herself, Sia found solace in his antics. Though she rarely admitted it aloud, his unwavering optimism often pulled her back from the edge of her darker thoughts. For Arnold, she was more than a friend—she was the big sister he'd always longed for, the one he refused to let suffer in silence.
"I'll make sure you're happy, Big Sis," he'd once said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "No matter what."
Seer had watched these moments unfold in silence, his heart swelling with pride. Their bond was powerful, forged by shared struggles and tempered in moments of kindness. It was a bond that would serve them well in the trials ahead. Under Seer's watchful guidance, Sia and Arnold honed their skills. He saw immense potential in both of them: the unyielding determination that burned within Sia, and Arnold's clever, adaptive spirit. Though their approaches differed, they were united in their resilience—something only those who had survived the worst could truly possess.
Seer had watched these moments unfold in silence, his heart swelling with pride. Their bond was powerful, forged by shared struggles and tempered in moments of kindness. It was a bond that would serve them well in the trials ahead. Under Seer's watchful guidance, Sia and Arnold honed their skills. He saw immense potential in both of them: the unyielding determination that burned within Sia, and Arnold's clever, adaptive spirit. Though their approaches differed, they were united in their resilience—something only those who had survived the worst could truly possess.
"Strength isn't just in the muscles or the blade," Seer would often remind them during training. "It's in knowing when to hold back and when to fight. A true warrior leads not only with their power, but with their heart, their trust in those beside them. Remember that, Sia, Arnold. No battle is won alone."
Sia absorbed his teachings with silent determination, her combat abilities sharpening into something lethal yet controlled. Every swing of her blade, every calculated step, spoke of precision and discipline. Arnold, on the other hand, relied on instinct and brilliance. His unorthodox tactics and quick thinking often caught even Seer off guard. The frightened children Seer had rescued were gone. In their place stood warriors, tempered by hardship and ready to face the darkness threatening their world.
Now, seated around the campfire, the trio reflected on their most recent trial. Outside, the faint hum of the camp settled into the background, while inside, the air hung heavy with unspoken thoughts. Sia sat stiffly, her hands folded in her lap, her mind replaying the chaos of the test. She clenched her jaw, as though holding onto something inside herself. Arnold noticed the shift in her, the way her eyes clouded over with something darker, and he leaned forward, trying to break the silence.
"That test was brutal," Arnold said, his voice devoid of humor, replaced by a rare seriousness. "Those things weren't just monsters—they were nightmares brought to life."
Seer nodded, his voice calm and steady. "You handled it well. Both of you."
"I barely made it," Sia said quietly, her hands clenching against the fabric of her trousers. "I thought I was going to…" She trailed off, her voice tight with frustration.
Arnold nudged her shoulder, offering a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, Big Sis, don't sell yourself short. You took that thing down like a champ. Sure, you were half-dead by the end, but I've seen worse."
Sia shot him a sidelong glance, the corner of her lips twitching into a faint smile despite herself.
Seer's soft chuckle broke the tension. "Arnold's right, Sia. Your determination is your greatest strength. But don't forget—there's no shame in leaning on others when you need to. Even the strongest warriors need allies."
Sia nodded, though her gaze dropped to her lap. Seer's words settled deep within her, stirring thoughts she wasn't quite ready to voice. Arnold shifted, his tone growing quieter.
"What about Shin?" he asked. "The guy made it look so easy. Didn't even break a sweat."
Seer's brow furrowed slightly, though his expression remained calm. "Shin's strength is undeniable," he admitted. "But strength without compassion can lead to destruction. The bond you two share is something he lacks—a strength of heart and trust that cannot be replicated. Never underestimate the power of that."
Arnold's grin returned, softer this time. He nudged Sia again. "Hear that, Big Sis? We're the dream team."
"Don't push it," Sia muttered, though there was warmth in her voice.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Seer leaned back, letting their laughter fill the tent. Yet his thoughts lingered on the past. He had seen the worst the world had to offer—its cruelty and its darkness. But in Sia and Arnold, he saw a rare light: proof that even from the deepest shadows, something good could emerge. They weren't just warriors. They were his family. And no matter what trials lay ahead, he vowed to guide them toward the future they deserved.
As the campfire flickered, casting warm light over their faces, Seer allowed himself a moment of quiet pride. The bonds forged here, in the crucible of hardship, would remain unbreakable.