"I promise." "You promise, right?" "Let’s pinky swear." "I’ll never break a promise."

These were all promises I, Han Yin, made to different people. Some were promises I failed to keep, or people I let down. But it was keeping the promises I could that helped me reach where I am today. When I look back on my past, reality fades and memories slowly resurface, seeping into my thoughts once again.

Back then, my family lived in a small village in Inner Mongolia near the Yellow River. My family was small but happy—my father, mother, Lei Wen, and me. From an early age, I showed abilities beyond those of the other children, being more intelligent and stronger than kids my age. The boys in our village even called me “big sis.” Lei Wen was gluttonous back then, always begging for treats, and then refusing to sleep without a story. She was just like any normal child in the village. So even as the eldest child, I had all my parents’ attention, and they called me “special.” They’d tell me stories, not the simple “Shepherd Boy” or “Cinderella” that Lei Wen loved, but tales of gods, demons, and brave warriors—heroes who stood against fate. My father, a local police chief, even claimed to be one of them once. So, even though our lives were simple, we were happy, and peace was abundant.

That was until that fateful day, eleven years ago…

“Han Yin, go! Take your sister! They’re coming.”

It was a morning like any other, and I was watching Lei Wen while our parents worked in the fields. But unlike every other day, my mother came home early, urging us to leave and saying things I didn’t understand. But I had heard tales like these from her countless times, so I didn’t question her; I just did as she said.

My mother and I packed the essentials quickly. She went to the kitchen to gather food, while I went to the bedroom and grabbed a few of Lei Wen’s favorite storybooks and put them in my bag. The three of us hurried out the door, but when we stepped outside, my world collapsed. Our peaceful village lay in chaos. From the distant north, black smoke curled up toward the sky, filling the once clear blue with an ashen gray. Everywhere people were running in panic, fleeing south toward the Yellow River. The streets were crowded, not with the lively sounds of a marketplace, but with frantic shouts and screams. The smell of sweat and blood filled the air. Trees, flowers, stray dogs, and cats along the way were all trampled underfoot as people fled without mercy.

The three of us pushed against the tide, but we were no match. The force of the crowd shoved us back, and we stumbled, helpless and unable to get up. In that split second, my mother used the last of her strength to push Lei Wen and me forward.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Go! Your father is waiting at the river… I’ll meet you on the other side. I promise."

I turned back to look at her, torn between fear and despair. But there was no time. The black smoke crept closer, so I nodded through tears and held onto Lei Wen, pulling her toward the riverbank.

"Will Mom be alright?" Lei Wen asked.

"Yes, she promised she’d meet us there. Mom never breaks a promise."

I didn’t know if I was trying to calm her down or reassure myself.

As we reached the riverbank, a familiar voice called out, "Han Yin! Lei Wen! Over here!"

Following the voice, we wove through the throngs of people waiting by the shore and found our father. Relief washed over him as he hugged us, his voice breaking as he spoke, “My girls, you’re here! I’ve been holding this spot for us.” Then, as if remembering something, his smile vanished. “Where’s your mother?”

“She promised she’d meet us on the other side,” I replied, struggling to keep a straight face.

His expression shifted to one of resignation, and his laughter faded. He must have understood.

"Right… Of course. But at least you two are safe. Come, let’s board. We’ll start fresh on the other side, in Ningxia…"

"Wait," a stern voice interrupted him.

"What now?" my father demanded, eyes flashing at the boat captain.

"I checked the seats; there’s been a miscalculation. Instead of four, there’s room for only two."

Anger flooded my father’s face as he lunged at the captain, pinning him down with his hands clenched around his neck.

"What are you saying? This is the last boat! All I have left in this world are my two little girls. You want to tear our family apart, is that it? Are you satisfied with that?"

The captain, choking and on the brink of fainting, managed to wheeze, “K-killing me won’t solve anything. If… if I die, then everyone here dies. Not just your family…”

Realizing the truth in his words, my father slowly released him. Standing up, he glanced first at the dark smoke, then at the people around us, adults frantic, children crying. He sighed deeply, then turned to us, kneeling before me.

“Han Yin, promise me something.”

With tear-filled eyes, I nodded.

"You’re special, more so than anyone else. Use that gift to help others, no matter what. I believe that one day, you’ll be the one to save us all."

Then he turned to Lei Wen, placing one hand on her shoulder.

“And you, listen to your sister, okay?”

Lei Wen couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into tears, clinging to him tightly.

“Be good, Lei Wen. Don’t cry. It’s not time for tears yet.”

Then, taking one last look at us, he said, “You’ll both keep your promises, won’t you?”

Wiping our eyes, we both nodded and replied in unison, “We promise.”

A warm smile lit up his face once more.

“Good, that’s all I need to hear.”

The captain led us aboard, and we settled into the boat’s narrow seats. As it set off from the dock, I turned around to see my father still standing there, waving. I watched his figure until it faded from view, the image of him mingling with the haze that slowly swallowed our home.