Book 1: Chapter 1

Cyil excitedly ran across the sloping field of knee-length grass. All his focus was on reaching the top of the hill. Behind Cyil, other kids around his age stumbled their way up the hill. In fact, a dotted swarm of little kids could be seen making their way up the hill.

Almost there. Almost there.

Even from afar, Cyil could hear the uniformed marching sounds of heavy metal striking the ground. He had been waiting for this day for seven years. He was now eleven, and over half his life was spent waiting in anticipation. That is because today he would finally be reunited with his father, someone who he could hardly remember, but had always heard about from stories his mother told.

Every night before his bedtime, Cyil’s mom would tell him stories about his father.

“Your father is a tall, bronzed man with a harden look. But don’t be mistaken that he is a mean man because your father is a gentle and kind man. The kindest in this world. He would always help those around him. No matter their age or status, he would help them. That is one of the reasons why I fell in love with him when I first came to this town.”

“Your father is the strongest warrior in our town. He is the pride of our small town. One time your father fought off a corruption demon all by himself. No one knew how that demon manage to cross so far into the mainland, but the corruption demon scared everyone in this town stiff. Only your father could rise up and slay the demon.”

“Your father treasures you more than anything. Perhaps even more than me, which makes me a bit jealous. He said that all he wants for you is your happiness and peace and that is why he left to left to join the war.”

“Your father….Your father….”

Memories shared by his mother replayed through Cyil’s mind. He almost felt as if those stories were his and that he really knew his father. But Cyil could not remember anything about his dad. Maybe seven years was too long and he slowly forgot. Or maybe he was too young to remember anything.

But today, right now, in front of him he could see neatly formed rows of soldiers marching towards their little town. His father was somewhere among those soldiers!

Soon, other kids began to gawk, scream, and wave at the group of hundred or so soldiers marching towards them.

All these kids had also been waiting for their fathers to return and today they would all be reunited at last…

“HALT!” shouted the commander who sat atop of the only horse in the squad.

Reining his horse around to face the frozen, statue-like soldiers the commander began:

“Everyone, you have served your country well and now your service has come to a glorious close. You are all now battle-hardened warriors that will be respected anywhere in the five kingdoms! If you ever wish for employment in cities as soldiers then you will never be denied! The Dark race will tremble at your name for you have survived beyond their borders and killed many of their brethrens!!

...Today, I am no longer your commander and under martial law you are all no longer my men. But remember! We are and will be brothers forever! DISMISSED!”

As the commander finished his speech, all the soldiers roared in agreement and joy. The sound echoed far and wide, even frightening the hundreds of kids who were waiting not too far atop the hill.

Cyil marveled at the atmosphere and strength of the war cry. But even moreso, he thought the commander was cool. I wonder if that is dad, Cyil thought. Only the strongest warrior could become the commander, right?

After the shout from the soldiers died down, these soldiers broke formation and ran towards the kids on the hill. Everyone was shouting all at once, calling out names, trying to find their kid(s) or father who they might not even recognize anymore.

“Vlatos!” Cyil shouted towards the oncoming soldiers. “Vlatos! Where are you, dad!”

Looking around, some father had already been reunited with their kids.

“Where’s your mother, dear?” a soldier asked his ten year old daughter.

“She’s making food for you! All the housewives and even the grannies and grandpas are setting up a celebration back at the village for you all!” The girl beamed. “Ah! I wasn’t supposed to tell you about it.”

Laughing, the man wrapped the girl up in a warm hug, hefted her onto his shoulders and carried her back up the hill and beyond, to the town.

Scenes like this continuously played all around Cyil as he stood in place shouting for his father.

At first, Cyil was filled with endless excitement but as the crowd of soldiers gradually thinned Cyil’s excitement died down with the thinning of the crowd.

No one had answered his call that had eventually turn to a plea.

As the last soldier left, Cyil was not the only kid standing alone. Seven other kids were standing there at a lost, too.

The commander then slowly galloped up the hill towards the group of kids.

“Vercatus, Epasius, Vlatos, Connedus, and Tascus! Sons and Daughters of these soldiers step up!” The commander said with his gentlest tone as he dismounted.

Facing this awesome commander, the kids were a little bit timid and none readily stepped up except for-

“Sir!” Cyil marched up. “I am the only son of Vlatos, the strongest warrior in this town! Where is my dad?”

Shocked at the little boy’s straightforwardness the commander knelt down and looked the boy in the eye. There was nothing particularly special about this boy. He looked like any random kid from a poor village but his eyes were sharp and pure.

“What’s your name, boy?”

“Cyil Cintu!” Cyil kept eye contact with the commander.

“Good name. You have the fearlessness of your father, Vlatos Cintu. He would often talk and even brag about you to the soldiers in our squad. Now I see why he would be so proud. I am called Agedilio. Today,” the commander stood and gazed with pity at all the other kids who were still standing further back, “ today, I bring you all heavy news. I hope that you can all bring me to your current guardians so I can tell them these news.”

All the kids gasped. Among them, the oldest one was 15 while the youngest was nine. Despite this they all knew what Agedilio’s ‘bad news’ was referring to.

“Death? Did my father die?!” shouted the oldest one among the kids.

“I want my dad!” shouted another.

Soon all eight voices began to cry out complaints, or just simple just cry.

Cyil stood there motionless and speechless. He did not cry or speak. It was as if he was frozen in place and time while slowly being strangled. His breathing began to come out in huffs and then he collapsed onto the ground…