In the desolate land of Elgas, war had become an unrelenting force, an unwelcome companion that had lingered for more than half a century. The soil soaked with blood, countless lives lost, and the air tainted with the stench of despair. Jisu, a boy who once uttered desperate words at the tender age of 12, had grown into a resilient young man burdened by the scars of a fractured world.
The echoes of that fateful day resonated in his memory—an image that haunted him as he gazed upon the remnants of his family. The innocence of his 12-year-old self had been shattered alongside his mother's grief-stricken eyes and the severed head of his 3-year-old sister. A tragic tableau etched into the fabric of his soul.
Eight long years passed, but the war endured, unyielding and voracious. Elgas had become a realm of chaos, where millions suffered at the hands of ruthless oppressors who sought dominance over the fractured lands. The Planetary Association lay in ruins, fractured alliances replaced by the insatiable thirst for power. Kings and rulers vied for supremacy, their ambitions overshadowing the cries of the oppressed.
Jisu, once a hopeful child, now faced the harsh reality of a world torn apart by greed and indifference. Elgas was no longer a place of solace; it had morphed into a battlefield where morality had succumbed to the ruthless pursuit of power. Each ruler harbored aspirations of becoming the sovereign of their realm, heedless of the suffering endured by their citizens.
In the midst of this turmoil, Jisu clung to the shattered fragments of his dreams—dreams that once revolved around a simple desire for familial happiness. His heart yearned for a time when the laughter of his family echoed through peaceful days, a time when he could care for them without the looming shadow of war.
Yet, fate had other plans for Jisu as he navigated the treacherous landscape of Elgas, a young man marked by tragedy and fueled by a flicker of hope. In a world where war seemed an ever-present specter, he embarked on a journey to defy the inevitability of conflict, driven by the enduring belief that one day, perhaps, the cycle of war could be broken.
Hidden within him is an unknown dream, a silent wish unspoken to the world. To transform his aspirations into reality, he understands the need for assistance, for a crew he can trust with his deepest desires. Thus, he embarks on an adventurous journey, seeking allies who share his vision.
As the moon hung low in the night sky, Jisu found himself standing at the edge of a mysterious forest, its ancient trees casting long shadows in the darkness. Exhausted from a day-long journey, he gazed into the depths of the woods, determined to reach the village of Laos that awaited beyond the dense foliage. The woods exuded an unsettling aura, far from the ordinary, sending shivers down Jisu's spine. Yet, in the face of the ominous vibes, he stood unwavering, no stranger to the perils that lurked in the dark.
Eight years haunted by the specter of his mother's departure left Jisu bereft of peace and proper sustenance. Burned rice, a meager reward for a day's labor at the shop, sustained him through sleepless nights. Love had become a distant memory since the loss of his mother and sister. The villagers, treating him like a mere insect, subjected him to relentless toil. Despite the cruel treatment, Jisu endured, for his dreams demanded he stay alive.
As he sat beneath a tree, lost in the shadows of his own past, a distant scream tore through the night. With a jolt, he rose, compelled by an unseen force to uncover the source. Moonlight guided his path to a harrowing scene—a war soldier, the embodiment of cruelty, tormenting a defenseless girl.
Indifference gave way to a torrent of emotions as Jisu locked eyes with the girl, a stark reminder of his sister's innocence. Anguish and rage intertwined, fueled by the haunting memories of his past. In that moment, a determination surged within him, propelling him forward. He rushed to save the girl, a lone figure challenging the darkness, ready to defy the cruelty that echoed his own painful history.
In the midst of the swirling chaos on the battlefield, Jisu faced the soldier, sensing a sinister intent. The soldier, with a wicked grin, taunted, “What brings you here? Do you crave a taste of this as well?”
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“Why are you doing this? She’s just a little girl,” Jisu protested, his voice edged with disbelief.
The soldier, cold and unyielding, retorted, “Do you not understand the reality of this world? I’m a soldier. I can do as I please. Morality and sympathy hold no place here. Loyalty to the king is the only currency.”
An angered Jisu shot back, “I don’t care. This senseless war will end soon. Do you believe God created us to slaughter each other for power?”
The soldier, with a chilling nonchalance, dismissed it, declaring, “It’s all mere rhetoric. An empty throne demands a ruler. Whoever sits upon the eternal throne becomes the absolute being, molding the world to their whims.”
Jisu, fueled by determination, declared, “We’ll see. For now, leave the little girl be.”
The soldier, reveling in cruelty, sneered, “Make me, if you can. Tormenting little girls is a thrilling pastime.”
Drawing a battered sword recovered near his village, Jisu engaged in a fierce battle. Both combatants struggled, exchanging desperate blows. Jisu suffered a cut, but in return, he dealt a fatal blow to the soldier’s chest. After moments of intense struggle, Jisu, driven by sheer will, thrust his sword through the soldier’s heart.
In his final moments, the soldier asked, “Why did you save this girl? Is she a relative?”
Jisu replied, “I don’t know. What’s your name, soldier?”
“Jinan Su. Yours?” the soldier inquired.
“Jisu Aubrany,” Jisu responded. The soldier’s eyes widened in shock, but before he could speak, he succumbed to death, leaving an air of mystery surrounding Jisu’s name.
In the end of frightening aftermath, Jisu's gaze met the frightened eyes of the little girl. Softly, he spoke, "It's okay. What's your name?"
Trembling, the little girl managed to reply, "May. Who are you, mister?"
"I'm Jisu. Are you hurt? Where are your parents?" Jisu's voice held a genuine depth of empathy, echoing the pain of their shared tragedy.
Through tear-filled eyes, May unveiled the harrowing reality. "Mother and father are dead. Soldiers came, took everything from us, and set our homes on fire. My father... he sacrificed himself to save me. I hid in the forest while everything fell apart."
Jisu, his heart heavy with sorrow, asked gently, "Are you hungry?"
With a subtle nod, May replied, "Mhhm."
"How about we hunt some rabbits for food?" Jisu suggested, his voice carrying a resilient hope.
"Okay," May agreed, her voice resonating with both grief and a flicker of newfound companionship.
Deeper into the forest they ventured, Jisu cradling a shattered sword with a solemn purpose. This day unfolded not just as a tale of loss but as an emotional journey of unexpected connection. Unbeknownst to May, it marked the day Jisu faced the heart-wrenching choice—embracing the necessity to take a life to protect another. The shattered sword, now a silent witness, echoed the raw emotion of a day etched with both tragedy and the forging of an unspoken bond amidst the relentless shadows of despair.
Jisu and May ventured deeper into the moonlit forest, the shattered sword a somber reminder of the struggle they had just faced. The air seemed to carry a heaviness, a mix of the war-torn world they inhabited and the mysterious energy that surrounded the forest.
As they walked, Jisu couldn't shake the haunting memories of his past. The pain of losing his mother and sister, the years of toil and hardship, all etched into the lines on his weary face. Yet, a newfound determination burned in his eyes—an unyielding resolve to end the war that had stolen so much from him.
May, clinging to Jisu's side, broke the silence, "Mister Jisu, why do you want to stop the war?"
Jisu paused, glancing at the innocence in May's eyes, "I've lost too much to this senseless conflict. I want to create a world where people like you don't have to suffer, May."
The duo navigated through the forest, Jisu's mind wrestling with the soldier's words about an "eternal king." He knew he needed allies for his quest, but who could he trust in a world stained by betrayal and greed?
As dawn approached, they stumbled upon a small clearing. Jisu took a moment to examine the shattered sword, a relic of desperation, and made a silent promise to find a better weapon to protect those he cared about.
Their hunger led them to set traps for rabbits, and with practiced efficiency, Jisu managed to catch a few. May watched wide-eyed as he skillfully prepared a makeshift meal. The forest, though ominous, seemed to offer a reprieve from the chaos outside.
While sharing the meager meal, Jisu spoke to May about his dream of assembling a crew to stop the war. May, despite her young age, listened intently, captivated by the sincerity in Jisu's voice.
As night fell once again, Jisu and May rested under the canopy of trees. The forest, once foreboding, now felt like a sanctuary. Little did they know, this chance encounter would shape the destiny of both Jisu and May, setting them on a path filled with challenges, alliances, and the pursuit of a dream that transcended the darkness of war.
In the soft morning glow, May woke up to find Jisu busy packing in the cozy forest. The atmosphere felt light, but there was a subtle tension in the air.
"Where are you going, mister?" May asked with a curious tilt of her head.
Jisu, still organizing his belongings, replied, "I'm off to Laos village. Got some errands to run."
"Can you drop me off at my village?" May inquired.
Jisu firmly stated "Nope, you're my travel buddy now."
"Why?" May questioned
Jisu responded , "Do you have someone waiting for you back home?"
May looking down , whispered, "No."
"That's settled then. You're coming with me," Jisu asserted
"But I don't want to be a burden. You've done more than enough," May protested, looking genuinely concerned.
Jisu flashed a reassuring smile. "Hey, if you want to repay me, just tag along.You’re like a little sister to me."
A small tear formed in May's eye, but she nodded, a mix of gratitude and excitement. And so, with a light-hearted spirit, they embarked on their journey to Laos village, a duo with untold adventures ahead.
TO BE CONTINUED!!