The first rays of dawn slipped through a tiny wooden window, painting the walls of a small room in warm gold. A gentle breeze carried the smell of dew and grass inside, fluttering the thin curtains.
On a straw bed, a little girl stirred, her brown hair spilling across the pillow in a messy tangle. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking once, twice before a bright smile stretched across her face.
Lily: Mm… morning already!
She kicked the blanket away and hopped out of bed with clumsy enthusiasm. Her bare feet thudded softly on the wooden floor as she rushed to pull her simple dress over her head, nearly tripping in her hurry. She smoothed it down, nodded at her reflection in a cracked mirror, and darted toward the stairs with childlike determination.
Downstairs, the smell of fresh bread and chopped herbs filled the small home. In the kitchen, a woman stood at a table, carefully slicing vegetables. Her dark hair was tied back with a cloth, and though her hands moved with the efficiency of long practice, her face carried the softness of a smile that only mothers have.
Mother: Morning, Lily.
Lily bounded down the last steps and into the room, her eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement.
Lily: Morning, Mama! Can I go help Sight with hunting today? Please? Please? I'll be really good, I promise!
Her mother chuckled, setting the knife aside and brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead.
Mother: That depends… Did you finish your chores already?
Lily:[puffing her cheeks] Of course I did! I swept the floor, fed the chickens, and even folded the laundry! I'm not a baby anymore, Mama!
The woman raised a brow, clearly amused.
Mother: Not a baby, hm? Well, I suppose a baby couldn't fold laundry so neatly. Very well. But don't trouble Sight too much. You know how serious he can be when he's in the forest.
Lily:[cheering] Yay! I'll be back before lunch!
Before her mother could say more, Lily slipped on her little leather shoes and darted out the door, her laughter carrying on the morning wind.
The village was already alive. Smoke curled from chimneys, roosters crowed, and the air was filled with the scent of tilled earth and baking bread. Farmers carried baskets of produce, women hung clothes to dry, and children played in the dirt roads.
Lily sprinted down the path, waving energetically to every familiar face she saw.
Villager: Good morning, Lily!
Lily: Good morning, Mister!
Villager 2:[laughing as she almost tripped] Don't trip, little one!
Everyone greeted her with warmth, their eyes fond. Lily was the sunshine of the village, a bundle of joy that no one could resist.
Soon, the cottages faded behind her, and the forest loomed ahead. The trees towered higher than any building, their trunks as wide as houses, their crowns blocking much of the sky. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of moss and damp earth.
Lily darted between the giants, her small feet crunching twigs and leaves, her breath quick but happy. The forest was like a second home, its paths familiar, its whispers comforting. She ran until she reached a wide clearing, grass swaying under the soft morning breeze.
But then—
Boom.
A low rumble made the ground tremble beneath her.
Boom. Boom.
The sound grew louder, heavier, as though the forest itself was groaning under a great weight. Lily froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned her head toward the far side of the clearing.
Shadows moved. Branches snapped. Then, with a roar, monstrous shapes burst through the undergrowth.
A horde of massive beasts surged into the clearing boar-tigers, their bodies as large as wagons, striped fur bristling, tusks curving like blades. Their yellow eyes burned with hunger, and their paws thundered against the ground with each step.
Lily's breath caught in her throat. Terror gripped her small frame.
Lily:[screaming] SIGHT!!!
Her voice cracked with fear, tears already pricking her eyes as she spun and ran. Her legs pumped desperately, but she could hear the monsters gaining ground, their snarls echoing in her ears.
The world itself seemed to hold its breath.
Then, from far above, a deep sound rumbled like the roar of the sky splitting apart. A shadow fell across the clearing, stretching wide, growing darker.
Lily glanced up. Something was falling. Fast.
BOOOOOOM!
The impact shook the clearing like an earthquake. Dust and smoke exploded upward, the shockwave sending grass and dirt flying in every direction. The ground split, leaving cracks etched deep into the earth.
Lily skidded to a stop, trembling. Her breath came fast and shallow. For a moment, there was only silence until a tall figure emerged from the swirling dust, his silhouette sharp against the light.
Her eyes widened, filling with tears of relief.
Lily: …Sight.
The figure stepped forward, his white hair wild in the wind, his grey scarf trailing like a banner. His muscles coiled, his expression calm, before his fist drove forward with crushing force.
DOOOOOOM!
The world seemed to shatter with the blow. Earth erupted, a shockwave ripping across the clearing. The boar-tiger horde was flung backward as though struck by a storm, crashing into trees and tumbling into the dirt with pained roars. Soil, rocks, and dust filled the air, leaving the center of the battlefield carved into a crater.
When the dust cleared, Sight Albar stood firm. His sky-blue eyes gleamed with unshaken resolve. Resting effortlessly on his shoulders, like toys, were two unconscious beasts, their massive bodies limp. Around him, the rest of the horde lay sprawled across the ground—wounded, but alive. He had held back.
He turned his head toward the little girl, his voice calm but edged with concern.
Sight: Not hurt, Lily?
Her tears finally spilled over, but her smile burst forth like sunshine. She sprinted forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face against him.
Lily: Thank you, Sight! I knew you'd come!
Sight let out a soft chuckle, resting one hand on her head, ruffling her messy hair.
Sight: Hah, of course I came. You yell loud enough to wake the dead.
Lily:[pouting] H-hey!
Her cheeks puffed, but she clung tighter, like a little sister greeting her big brother. Sight shifted the weight of the beasts on his shoulders without effort, then crouched slightly.
Sight: Climb on. You'll slow me down if you run on those short legs.
Lily's eyes sparkled.
Lily: Really?! Yay!
She scrambled up onto his back, arms wrapping around his neck, giggling as he stood again. Now, with Lily perched happily on his back and two monstrous carcasses balanced on his shoulders, Sight turned toward the village.
The walk back was calm, the forest alive with birdsong once more.
At the village gates, a murmur rose as people spotted him. Villagers came out of their homes, their eyes widening at the sight: Sight carrying two beasts the size of wagons as if they were nothing more than sacks of grain.
Villager: Unbelievable… He really did it again.
Villager 2: He took on a whole horde and brought them back alive… Gods above.
Some faces were filled with awe, others with faint unease. But when Lily waved from Sight's back with her usual cheerful grin, the tension eased into warmth.
Farmer: Welcome back, Sight! Saved our little sunshine again, eh?
Sight:[grinning] Couldn't exactly leave her to wrestle that horde herself, could I?
Laughter broke out among the villagers. Sight set the beasts down near the butchers with a soft thud, then rolled his shoulders casually, as though shrugging off dust instead of dropping tons of dead weight.
An elderly farmer came forward, bowing slightly.
Farmer: Truly, thank you, lad. We'll be eating well for weeks thanks to you.
Sight:[scratching his cheek] It's nothing. Just make sure you share with everyone.
After a few more greetings, Sight carried one portion of meat under his arm, walking alongside Lily back to her house. Inside, the smell of simmering vegetables welcomed them. Her mother looked up from the pot, relief softening her features.
Mother: Lily! You're safe. [her gaze shifted to Sight] And Sight… I should have known.
Lily grinned proudly.
Lily: He beat them all in one punch, Mama! BOOM! The ground shook and everything flew away!
Sight raised a brow, smirking slightly as he set the meat on the counter.
Sight: Don't exaggerate too much. You'll make me sound like a monster.
Lily:[hugging him tighter] But you are my monster!
Her mother laughed softly, shaking her head. She stirred the pot before glancing teasingly at Sight.
Mother: You know, you spoil her. Tell me honestly does she bother you when she follows you around?
Sight leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, his lips curving into a sly smile.
Sight: Bother me? Nah. She's quieter than you think… until she starts snoring.
Lily:[face red, flailing her arms] I-I do not snore!!
Both adults laughed, and Lily hid her face in her hands, cheeks burning.
The three of them sat together, the stew bubbling with fresh meat and vegetables. The table was small, but the warmth that filled it made it feel like home. Laughter, chatter, and the comfort of a simple meal bound them together like family.
For a moment, everything was perfect.
Then shouts echoed outside.
The sound of dozens of footsteps rushing across the village square shook the quiet home. Doors slammed, voices rose in alarm and awe.
Villager's voice:[yelling from outside] It's the Kingdom of Steel!
The words carried through the window. Sight's hand stilled over his bowl.
Lily blinked, tilting her head.
Lily: Kingdom of… Steel?
Before anyone could answer, the house trembled. Shadows swept across the walls as something vast descended from above. The faint hum of engines filled the air, unlike anything the village had ever known.
Through the window, a massive silhouette eclipsed the sun. A ship of iron and gleaming steel drifted across the sky, its form like a fortress torn from the heavens.
The Kingdom of Steel had arrived.