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Chapter 1 - That Day, 3847 Years Ago
"Catch!"
The ball soared through the air, just out of reach. It teased him with its fleeting freedom. He could hear the laughter of his friends echoing in the distance as they reveled in the simple joys of running and jumping—their nimble bodies carrying them across the grassy field.
"I got it!" Kyrios shouted. His fingers yearned to snatch the ball overhead, though his wheelchair crossed him again. He felt trapped by the immovable wheels, unable to break free and move backward. With a jolt, he lost his balance, tumbling with a cascade of frustration washing over him.
As he lay there, gazing up at the sky, longing welled up. The morning rays spilled gently through the trees, casting a golden hue on the soft ground. And with a bittersweet sigh, he contemplated the passing of another year, knowing that the shackles of the tenacious disease still bound him.
"Are you okay? My bad, man. I threw it too high," Theo apologized. "Need a lil' help?"
Kyrios simply looked into his friend's eyes, giving a gentle nod of thanks.
It was his fourteenth birthday today, but no one would care. In his mind, his condition had been a constant companion throughout the years, ever-present with its cruel nature in life's little things. He had always considered himself an optimist or a realist, never a pessimist, and today was no different. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, but he continued to live on, dreaming of an unshackled tomorrow.
They owned a wooden abode tucked away in a serene village nestled amidst rolling hills and whispering forests of Nordengaard. The air carried a delicate melody, a delicate waltz of rustling leaves, and the distant murmur of a babbling brook. Nature's touch would paint the world with hues of emeraldish blue, casting a tranquil veil over their humble lives.
While his surroundings dabbled an idyllic vista, his existence was anything but serene. His health had rooted him to his bed as far back as memory could stretch. Each day morphed into a relentless skirmish. It felt like an ongoing tango to stay conscious. Always bothersome.
"Aaand... Up! Here you go, Kyrios," his friend sighed, lifting the wheelchair. He dusted off the dirt from Kyrios's clothes and made sure his wheelchair was back in its proper state.
"Thanks, Theo," he murmured, offering a fuzzy smile of gratitude. It was a routine they had grown accustomed to, yet Theo never made him feel like a burden. He was always ready to lend a hand without hesitation.
It was always so quiet here. Even at high noon. There were no horse carts, no travelers, nor bustling crowds. Villagers strolled through their hamlet as though they had all the time in the world to enjoy its bounty. Whether or not they had problems like he did, they never showed it. They were happy.
Theo tossed him the ball again, this time with better accuracy. Kyrios caught it, throwing it back with an overhand motion. It didn't make it far, though, barely landing in the middle of their circle.
"Sorry, my arms are pretty weak."
"No problem," Ilias replied, stepping on the ball and stopping it. "But, I'm curious; why are there barely any adults today?" His tone tinged with a premature dither. "Is there an event or something? A private party? That'd be cool as hell. I asked my mom earlier today, but she didn't know either. It feels strangely quiet without them around."
Theo ran a hand through his hair. His face morphed with an are-you-stupid expression. "To be honest, your entire family lives under a rock anyway. No wonder you don't know."
Kyrios tilted his head, raising an eyebrow too. "Hey, I don't know what you're talking about either. I haven't heard anything. Nothing at all, you know. My dad has been gone all day as well."
"You guys really don't know what's up?" Theo sighed. "The Rift opens today. You guys know what that is, right?"
They nodded.
"All the adults are gathered at the town hall. They're discussing what to offer," he continued. "If we don't sacrifice anything, the Rift is going to consume the entire village. And we can't fight back; even the king can't. We just have to hope it'll all be over soon." He sat down and crossed his legs. "I heard they keep sending adventurers and warriors to scout and investigate, but they haven't really found much information that wasn't already known."
"Even the royal army?" Ilias asked.
"Even the royal army. They don't stand a chance against a force of nature. Besides, just leave it to the adults. We're just kids; we can't do a thing about it."
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
A somber silence enveloped their small circle as the weight of Theo's words settled upon them. The mention of the Rift sent shivers down Kyrios' spine. His mind was conjuring images of the mysterious and dangerous realm that lurked beyond their village. The stories whispered among the townsfolk had painted a grim picture—a relentless force that devoured everything in its path, defying human understanding and resistance.
Kyrios glanced at the empty town square, normally bustling with activity, now deserted save for a few scattered children engaged in their tiny games. The absence of adults was conspicuous, their absence a deadly sign of the impending threat that loomed over their lives.
"But... shouldn't we be doing something?" Kyrios mused aloud with a sense of rebellion. "If the adults can't find a way to stop it, then maybe we can. We can't just sit here and hope for the best."
Theo's eyes widened, surprised by his sudden courage. "And what can we do? Dive right into the Rift's ass and clear the mystery ourselves? Stupid kids like us? Forget about it; it's suicide."
"He's right," Ilias chimed in. His tone hinted at concern as he looked up at the cloudy sky. "We're just kids. We don't have the power of experience to face something like that. The best way to fight it is to not let it bother us. Let's just play ball again, guys."
Kyrios paused for a moment, weighing their words against him.
"No, no. I didn't mean it like that. It feels wrong just pretend everything will be fine. I know we can't do much, but I can't help it. People are dying to the Rift," he blurted.
"You can say that, but-"
"Theo, you're so smart, right?" Kyrios interrupted. "I'm sure we can find a way to be helpful, even from the shadows. We can gather information, seek out clues, and uncover anything that could help us understand it better. Think about it."
Ilias stood with his arms crossed, looking doubtful. "And how do you propose we do that?"
"Well, since Ilias is so good at peaking at girls—" a mischievous smile tugged at the corners of Kyrios' lips. "Heheee… We'll just copy him! Let's start by peeking at the adults in the town."
Theo laughed. "Tsk, you're crazy."
***
Under the fading light of dusk, they moved stealthily through the village, careful to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Well, Kyrios tried to; it wasn't a cakewalk to move slyly in a wheelchair. The adults had deserted the streets, and the air was thick with an uneasy silence. As they approached the town hall, its grand doors stood closed, guarded by the daunting presence of stone statues flanking either side.
[https://i.imgur.com/ePIpdnG.jpg]
Slipping around the backside of the building, they found themselves in a narrow alleyway. The murmur of voices drifted through the quiet air, punctuated by the occasional rise in tone. Peering around the corner, they could see a faint glow emanating from the town hall's windows. There, heavy shadows lay cast onto the cobblestone.
"I can't hear them very well; the wind is too loud," Ilias whispered. "We need to peek through the windows. Read their lips, maybe."
"Yes, yes, pervert. I know you're good at that," Kyrios nodded. "I agree with you, but no need to whisper, dude. We can just have Theo lift one of us with his wind magic." He turned his gaze to the other boy. "Could you do that?"
"Hmm, maybe? I dunno? I haven't used that on a person before, so I'm not sure," Theo worried, curling his finger around his hair. "Which one of you is lighter?"
The two side-eyed each other for a second before agreeing without even speaking. "Ha, that would be Kyrios, of course. It's literally magical how his legs don't look like bones, even though he can't move them." Ilias mumbled. "Those weird stretches must've helped a lot, huh?"
"Hey, I eat nutritious too, at least what we can get our hands on… Though its mostly white bread and—"
Theo expressed his annoyance with a facepalm. "We don't have time for joking. Get ready; I'm lifting you."
Kyrios positioned himself near the edge of the window, anticipation coursing through his body. Theo extended his hand towards him, his palm facing upward. With a deep breath, Kyrios placed his hand in Theo's, sensing a surge of energy cocooning him. His magic manifested as a gentle breeze that surrounded their bodies, lifting him off the ground with delicate grace. Carefully, Theo guided him towards the window, ensuring his approach was stealthy and silent.
"Woah, woah. You're insane!"
"I'm doing my best. Just use your legs to balance."
"I couldn't do that even if a lady asked me to. I'm a cripple, you know."
He sighed, channeling the center of his spell toward Kyrios' legs. "My bad."
And as Kyrios reached the window, he peered inside. The adults, huddled together, wore expressions of worry and resignation. Their voices, though subdued, carried a sense of desperation. He strained to catch every word of their conversation, heart pounding.
"Hear anything up there?" Ilias asked, his ear pressed against the wall.
"Barely. I can't make much out of reading their mouth movements, but at least their body language gave me some hints. They said something about more sacrifices or that there weren't enough. I think they're figuring out whose family animals they're offering. Other than that, they look super worried."
"Oh. Continue spying then," Theo encouraged. "But even if we get a hint or two, don't make us do anything reckless."
"I know, I know... Wait! I think it's winding down; they're already tidying up. I can see the chief's buttcrack the way he is sitting, ahaha."
"Kyrios, you… How can you be so serious at one time and goof up the second you see something funny? Take it seriously; this was your idea."
"Haha, sorry, man… Oh crap! Look, there's my dad! And he's heading this way!" Kyrios whispered excitedly, his eyes widening.
But in Theo's sudden shock, he lost his grip, causing Kyrios to tumble to the ground. He landed with a thud, jarring his senses momentarily. "Oopsie, are you okay?"
Dusting himself off, he reassured Theo, "It's alright, I'm fine. Sorry, that was sudden; I didn't expect it either."
"Nice. Let's focus on what's important now. What did your dad say? Did you catch any of their plans?"
"I don't know. I don't think he said-"
Suddenly, the door at the rear of the room, typically reserved for emergency purposes, swung open, and out stepped his father. His expression conveyed a sense of unease and worry as he looked emptily on the ground. Noticing Kyrios, his worry only worsened, his eyes struggling to maintain contact.
"Wait, what are you doing here, Kyrios?" he asked, finally noticing them. "And your friends too. Hello."
"Umm, hi, Mr. Kyrios' dad. We were just playing around here," Ilias lied, quickly helping Kyrios get back into his wheelchair. "Come on guys, let's head back."
"Wait." His dad sighed. "You guys can go back, but I need to speak with my son."