Chapter 1
The Edge of the Village
At the edge of a quiet village, where the jungle's wild embrace crept close, a modest house stood bathed in the soft light of dawn. Inside, a boy lay sprawled across his bed, lost in a deep, unbroken slumber. Unseen, a faint purple silhouette flickered in the distance, its gaze locked on him, gliding closer with silent purpose.
A sharp voice shattered the morning's calm. "Brother, wake up! You'll sleep through the day-school's about to start! Come on, get up!"
The boy mumbled, still tangled in dreams. "Ugh, my phone's not even ringing. Can't you just let me sleep?"
His younger sister stood at the foot of his bed, hands planted firmly on her hips. "No way, Brother! You've got school, and there's a ton to do. Get up already!"
The boy groaned, rolling over with a heavy sigh. "Please, just let me sleep." He buried his face deeper into the pillow, clinging to the fading warmth of his dreams.
His sister's patience snapped. Her small frame quivered with irritation as she marched forward, delivering two sharp slaps to his cheeks. "Get up!" she snapped, her voice a blend of exasperation and mischief.
The boy jolted upright, eyes wide with shock. "What-what just happened?!" He clutched his stinging cheeks, bewilderment clouding his face. "Why do my cheeks hurt?!"
His sister's expression softened, a playful grin breaking through. "Oh, look at that! You're awake already, Brother! What's wrong with you?"
"I was sleeping!" he protested, rubbing his face. "No idea what happened, but my cheeks are killing me."
His sister tilted her head, her tone teasing. "Forget that. You look so cute right now, Brother."
The boy waved her off, unimpressed. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm going back to sleep."
His sister's eyes narrowed. She hopped off the bed, her voice dropping to a low, warning murmur as she paced the room. "If you go back to sleep, you won't survive what comes next. So, before I say another word, go straight to the bathroom, brush your teeth, wash your face, and sit at the table for breakfast. No tricks."
The boy, still rubbing his cheeks, trudged to the bathroom like a scolded child. As he splashed water on his face, he muttered to himself, "Next time, I'm not sleeping at all. Nothing's scarier than this."
When he emerged, he slumped at the kitchen table, his mood slightly lifted. "So, what's for breakfast?"
His sister slid a plate in front of him, her tone matter-of-fact. "Same as yesterday."
The boy's face fell. "What? Again?"
"Quiet and eat," she shot back, her glare daring him to argue.
Cowed by her intensity, the boy shoveled the food into his mouth without another word. After breakfast, he grabbed his schoolbag, waved a quick "Bye," and stepped outside. The moment he crossed the threshold, a faint shimmer of blue light flickered around him-a magical barrier reacting to his presence, unnoticed by him.
At School
In the classroom, the boy slouched at his desk, his mind far from the lesson. His gaze drifted out the window, toward the jungle's untamed sprawl. The teacher's voice faded into a distant hum, overshadowed by his wandering thoughts. He wasn't listening, his attention scattered, drawn to the mysteries beyond the village.
A piece of chalk sailed through the air, aimed at his head. The boy's reflexes kicked in, and he caught it mid-flight with a lazy flick of his wrist. The teacher's voice boomed, "Pay attention!"
The boy offered a half-hearted nod, but his eyes soon wandered back to the window. The teacher sighed, launching into a lecture about focus, but the boy's mind was already lost, sketching adventures in the jungle's heart.
Back Home
After school, the boy trudged back to the house, his bag slung carelessly over one shoulder. His younger sister was sweeping the floor, her movements brisk and purposeful. She glanced up as he entered. "Brother, you're back! How was school? Did you study?"
The boy puffed out his chest, his voice brimming with false confidence. "Studying? Oh, I'm killing it. Top of the class, remembering everything. The teachers can't stop praising me. I'm basically a genius."
His sister's eyes narrowed, her stare cutting through his bravado.
The boy averted his gaze, scratching the back of his neck. "Anyway, I'm heading to the jungle to pick some mushrooms. Gotta go!"
"Wait!" his sister called, her tone firm. "I'm coming with you."
The boy froze. "No way. It's dangerous out there. You're staying here. I'll go alone."
His sister crossed her arms, undeterred. "No, I'm coming. You always go out alone, and I'm stuck here. I want to go with you!"
The boy opened his mouth to protest, but his sister's eyes sparkled with a pleading, almost magical charm. She clasped her hands together, her voice soft and imploring. "Please, Brother? Pretty please?" Her expression was impossibly cute, a weapon she wielded with expert precision.
The boy's resolve crumbled. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But you stick close to me, got it? No wandering off."
His sister beamed, bouncing on her toes. "Got it! Let's go!"
Both of them went to the jungle to get together innocently. As soon as they came out of the house, the magical barrier of blue color reacted again.

A mysterious girl is running away from some people towards the jungle while avoiding something.