The wind off the hills carried a bitter edge, rustling through the last leaves clinging to dying branches.
"Brother," Emily said, squeezing his hand tighter. "Do you remember the exams I did a few days ago?"
"Of course," Cid replied with a smile. "I was proud of you, Emy."
Her eyes wavered. "About that… I don't think I got in."
"Why would you say that?" Cid asked, patting her hand.
"All the kids who passed had their parents come to the classroom to tell them." Her voice trembled with sadness.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "You'll get in. You're stronger than your brother, and smarter too."
Emily let out a little laugh. "Thank you, Cid. I am better than you."
They reached the small wooden house at the edge of the village. Smoke curled from its crooked chimney, carrying the heavy scent of stew.
Inside, Ellie stood at the table, sorting herbs with quick, practiced hands. "Welcome back," she called warmly.
Charlie sat by the fire, sharpening Clain. The black blade gleamed in the flickering light. His gaze lifted and lingered on his son. "Trouble again?"
Cid pulled back his hood. "He had it coming."
Charlie's mouth tightened. "The son of Frid? That family has influence. You'll drag us all into a noose one day, boy."
"I won't let anyone hurt Emily," Cid answered simply.
Charlie's gaze softened, pride breaking through the steel. "Good. That's what I like to hear."
Ellie set her herbs aside. "Dinner's ready."
"What is it?" Cid asked.
"Meat stew," she said, smiling faintly. "Special occasion."
Emily tilted her head. "Special?"
Her mother's eyes shone. "Emily's been accepted into Moonlight Academy."
Cid pulled Emily into a hug. "I told you. You're the spark of this family."
Emily froze, blinking. "I… barely passed."
"You're right," Charlie said, a rare grin tugging his lips. "But they saw your strength. A warrior and a witch. A spark of both your mother and me. You'll do well."
Tears welled in Ellie's eyes as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "Tomorrow we leave. You need a proper weapon before you begin."
Cid frowned. "I shouldn't go. Better if I'm forgotten."
Charlie rose, firelight carving hard lines across his face. "Don't you dare say that again. Next time I'll knock your teeth out. You carry my blood. You walk with pride."
"But you know what I am," Cid whispered, not in anger or fear but with desperate honesty.
Charlie stepped closer. "So what? You are my son. Not my burden—my gift."
Ellie's voice softened. "He is right, my dear. We love you." Then she smacked Charlie on the back of the head. "Threaten our son again, and I'll gut you."
Emily giggled, and for a heartbeat the house felt whole. Even Cid smiled.
"Fine," he said quietly. "I'll come."
Dawn
The sun crawled over the horizon, painting the White Desert in pale gold. Endless dunes stretched in every direction, broken only by jagged stone outcrops. The air was so dry it scraped the throat raw.
Charlie led the way, his presence as steady as the sword on his back. "Rules," he said. "One: stay close. Two: speak up if you need help."
"Yes, sir," Emily and Cid echoed.
Charlie slowed until he walked beside his son. His voice dropped low. "There's a third rule. If we fall—take Clain. Take your sister. Run east. Find a man named Bill. He owes me. He'll help."
Cid's grip tightened. He met his father's gaze. "I promise."
The horizon shimmered. Out of the heat-haze came the glint of armor. Soldiers. Banners of the Northern Realms snapped in the wind.
"Cid, hold your sister and keep your distance," Charlie ordered.
"But—" both children began.
"No buts," Ellie cut in firmly. "Listen to your father."
Reluctantly, the children stepped back, leaving space between them and their parents.
Charlie strode forward, his voice casual. "Morning, friends. What brings an army of the north to this forgotten sandpit?"
The lead soldier grinned, eyes sliding toward Ellie. "The woman. Pretty thing."
Charlie's hand closed on Clain's hilt. "She's my wife."
Another soldier reached out, brushing Ellie's arm. She struck him hard across the face. His nose cracked, blood spilling.
The captain's smile vanished. "Apologies. But we're not here to flirt. We're here to erase Moonlight."
The air thickened.
Steel sang.
The clash was brutal. Charlie fought like a man possessed, Clain cutting through armor like cloth. Ellie's magic roared beside him, fire and force tearing soldiers apart. Screams filled the desert. They gave everything they could.
But there were too many.
A blade slipped past Charlie's guard. Blood sprayed.
He staggered. Clain slipped from his grip, falling into the sand with a dull thud.
"Run!" he roared, crimson soaking his chest. "Run now!"
Cid held his sister close. He knew what to do. With tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, he snatched the sword. The wolf's head on the hilt bit cold into his palm.
"Go, son!" Ellie cried, her voice breaking. "Protect your sister. Survive. Make us proud." Her words faded as she fell, her strength gone.
"Captain, should I chase him?" a soldier asked.
"No need. He won't survive the desert," the leader said.
Charlie's voice rasped from the ground, blood pooling beneath him. "Why? Why destroy a village no one even remembers?"
The captain's eyes burned. "Because this village birthed a curse. A curse the world must suffer for."
Emily screamed, thrashing in her brother's grip. "Let me go! I want Mom and Dad!"
Cid covered her ears as the screams of Moonlight reached them across the sands. He wanted to turn back. He wanted to fight. But he had promised. And it was already too late.
Behind them, the world they had known burned.
Night
The wind howled across the dunes, carrying the taste of ash.
Emily buried her face in Cid's chest, her small hands clutching his shirt. "They're dead… aren't they?"
"Yes," Cid whispered. The word scraped raw from his throat. "They're gone. I'm sorry, Emy… I was useless."
His arms stayed strong, even as his voice trembled.
"Stop," Emily begged, her voice breaking. "If you cry… then I'll never stop."
Cid forced a smile. "Sorry, Emy."
Her voice came again, fragile as dust. "So Moonlight is gone too?"
"Yes," he said, pulling her closer, holding her firmly this time. "It's only you and me."
His eyes dropped to Clain. Its black blade caught the faint glow of the moon, stained with his father's blood.
He held it close.
And promised himself—
This is not the end.