On the tense border between the kingdoms of Kamen and Galin, the village of Onis stood like a natural fortress, cradled by a ring of jagged mountains. This was the ancestral home of the "Glev," legendary mercenaries who had bled alongside Kamen’s Royal Army for generations. They were known as the Second Legion—the indispensable protectors of the throne.

  Ruling over these formidable warriors was Darius, a former king who had traded his crown for the cold embrace of steel. Since his beloved wife passed away fifteen years ago, he had dedicated his life to forging his three children into weapons of iron: Lyken, the stoic eldest son; Lyki, the spirited second son; and Lyna, the youngest daughter and the heart of their home. In war, he was a lion of the battlefield; in peace, a relentless tutor. And today, he was pushing Lyki to his absolute limit.

  CLANG! CLANG!

  The shriek of colliding metal echoed across the plains of the Shania Forest. Sparks sprayed like dying stars as a gargantuan axe slammed repeatedly against a sword's edge.

  “Is this all you have, Lyki!” Darius’s voice roared, sounding like three lions snarling in unison.

  “N... no!” The fifteen-year-old gasped through gritted teeth. His trembling hands fought to keep a grip on the massive axe. It was said that it took three grown men to lift this weapon from the dirt, yet his father wielded it with one hand as if it weighed nothing at all. Standing seven feet tall, Darius loomed like a mountain of stone, his eyes tracking his son with the predatory ferocity of a wild beast.

  “Hahaha! Pathetic! Not even after twenty winters of training could you hope to best me!” Darius laughed, delivering a powerful shove that sent Lyki sprawling onto the grass.

  “You’re cheating!” Lyki shouted, pushing his shaking body up. “With a strength gap like this, how am I supposed to win?”

  “Easy now, Lyki... don't start wailing like a loser before the war even begins,” a mocking voice chimed in. It was Oscar, the twenty-eight-year-old cavalry commander. Young as he was, his mastery of the horse and lance was unrivaled in the entire army.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  As Lyki prepared to lung back into the fray, a soft, melodic voice drifted from the distance. “Brother Lyki!”

  Darius hesitated at the sound of Lyna’s voice. Seeing the opening, Lyki struck instantly. But Darius, with reflexes forged in a lifetime of slaughter, simply stepped aside. With a swift, precise palm strike to the back of his son’s neck, Lyki’s world instantly plunged into darkness.

  In the depths of his slumber, Lyki found the mother he so desperately craved. The emerald-blue light of a dragon pendant glowed softly. She smiled, humming a familiar lullaby... Nana... na... nananana...

  He bolted upright, heart hammering, to find ten-year-old Lyna sitting beside him. Lyki reached out to gently touch the dragon pendant hanging around his sister's neck—the final treasure their mother had left behind. “I dreamed of Mother...”

  “Maybe she came to warn you...” Lyna replied, before shaking herself off. “Oh! You have to get up, Brother! Uncle Monroe has arrived!”

  “Really!” Lyki exclaimed, the ache in his neck vanishing in his excitement. Monroe was a wandering wizard who had roamed the lands of Omeshi for over three thousand years. Every year, he brought legends and mysteries to share with the children.

  The two siblings hurried toward Onis. Most buildings were simple wooden huts, but the inns and merchant houses were built of sturdy stone. Lyki hoped to reach the town square, but Lyna tugged hard on his sleeve.

  “Brother! We have to go back to the camp now! Father ordered that as soon as you woke up, you must report to the assembly hall immediately!”

  “But Uncle Monroe...”

  “No excuses! This is an urgent order!” Lyna said firmly, her eyes so serious he didn't dare argue.

  When they reached the camp, the atmosphere had shifted entirely. Soldiers stood in full plate armor, weapons drawn. The metallic scent of impending war hung heavy in the air. He spotted Reef, his best friend who had recently enlisted.

  “What’s happening, Reef?”

  “I’m not sure. Commander Titania ordered a mobilization as if the enemy is already at the gates. You should go inside, Lyki.”

  “Are you crazy? Father always said children shouldn't meddle in adult business!” Lyki hesitated.

  “This time, you need to know, Lyki.” A familiar, deep voice interrupted.

  “Brother Lyken!” Lyki cried out in relief. His twenty-year-old brother, the elegant head of the scouts, dismounted. But Lyken’s face was uncharacteristically grim.

  “Father sent a secret message through me,” Lyken said. “He said you are finally old enough to know the truth.”

  “Race you to the hall!” Lyken winked, trying to break the tension. “Loser mucks out the stables tonight!”

  Without another word, Lyken bolted. Bewildered but determined not to lose, Lyki sprinted after his brother with everything he had.