The Promised Day
Chapter One: Dream
Arkin sat on the garden grass, gazing at the blue sky—its color rivaling that of his innocent eyes. Around him, the cheerful voices of children filled the air, carefree and unburdened by thoughts of the future. That freedom was itself a blessing, one that kept them alive for the days to come. Everything was perfect—the weather was pleasant, and life seemed ordinary.
But in a sudden instant, Arkin felt a strange sensation. The sky turned black. The laughter of children faded, and life itself seemed to vanish. Ahead of him, about twenty meters away, stood a man beneath a lamp. Or was it truly a man? Nothing of his face could be seen, hidden in the shadow of a wide black hat. He wore a long, dark coat that brushed the ground.
Arkin took a step closer, but the man spoke:
"Do not come near..." he said.
Again, in a deeper voice, he repeated: "Do not come near..."
Arkin wanted to ask, Do not come near what? But no words would leave his lips. Desperate to speak, he tried again—only to find himself staring at the wall of his room, suddenly awake from a deep sleep.
---
Arkin lived in a small cottage in the eastern quarter of Neuville village. He shared the home with his fifteen-year-old sister and his ailing mother, while his twenty-two-year-old brother Daniel worked with a horse-drawn cart, transporting whatever people paid him to move. Sometimes it brought good earnings, other times little at all.
When Arkin awoke, he found Daniel in the stable, preparing the cart and the horse for work. Daniel glanced at him and called out:
"Wash your face, lazybones, and change your clothes. You're coming with me today."
Arkin's eyes lit up. "Of course I'll come! I've always wanted to go with you."
His excitement was clear—Daniel rarely allowed him to accompany him. This was a rare chance, and Arkin would not waste it.
At the cottage door, their mother spoke with concern:
"Must you really take him with you?"
Daniel replied, "Yes. I need him to guard the cart. The client is moving valuables from his home, and I don't want anything stolen while we carry things inside. Do you need him here for anything?"
"No," she answered softly, "but I felt he ought to stay with me."
Daniel climbed onto the cart, reins in hand, and reassured her:
"If you need help, Lava is here with you." Then he urged the horse forward.
She called after them: "Take care of yourselves! Daniel—don't push yourself too hard. Your health matters more than money."
---
The brothers rode toward the Square of Heads—a place where clients would gather to hire Daniel's services. On the way, Arkin kept wondering: Why did Mother insist I stay home? She usually tells Daniel to take me out, to see the world.
After passing two houses, they came opposite the home of Daniel's friend Reno. Daniel looked up and pointed:
"Look, Arkin! That black monkey!"
He was teasing Reno, who was perched on his roof, cleaning the chimney and covered in soot and ash.
"Hello, Reno! Need a hand up there?" Daniel called.
"No, thanks. I've just finished," Reno replied, climbing down. "Where are you two headed?"
"I'm meeting Thuraya in the Square of Heads to move his furniture. He's relocating to Castel City."
Reno smiled wryly. "Seems the wealthy no longer find life here to their liking."
Daniel shot back, "We're the ones who should be dissatisfied. The kingdom treats us like slaves."
"Then I'll leave you to your work. See you later," Reno said, waving.
Daniel urged the horse onward.
---
"Do dreams have meaning?" Arkin asked suddenly.
"What do you mean? Did you have one of your dreams again?" Daniel asked, half amused.
"Yes," Arkin admitted with a smile. "But this one was different—strange."
"Go on, tell me."
"I was in a garden. The weather was fine. Then suddenly, darkness fell. A man stood there, and he kept saying, Do not come near... do not come near..."
Daniel frowned. "Do not come near what?"
"I don't know. He never finished."
Daniel shook his head. "Sounds more like a nightmare. You know what they say—sharing nightmares brings misfortune."
He placed a comforting hand on Arkin's shoulder. "Don't be afraid. I think it's meaningless. Better to focus on your real dreams—your goals—and pursue them no matter the cost."
Arkin's eyes shone. "I want to study medicine. I want to heal people and defeat any illness that comes my way."
"That's what I like to hear," Daniel said firmly. "Then you must work hard."
---
[Historical Note]
The elders often tell their children the story of the Square of Heads, once called the Square of the Five Heads. In the year 3365 N.E. (New Era)—the story now takes place in 3489 N.E.—six leaders of great families secretly conspired to overthrow the king. But their plan was betrayed before it began. The king executed them, displaying their severed heads in the square for five days as a warning to all. It is believed that the sixth leader, from the Arkind family, was the one who betrayed the rest to the king.
---
Just before reaching the square, Daniel stopped at the familiar shop across from it to buy breakfast, as he often did.
As he halted the cart, Arkin tugged at his sleeve:
"Look at that black car! It's beautiful—I want to see it up close."
Daniel followed his gaze. It truly was a magnificent, expensive automobile. Cars were rare in their village; seeing one here was unusual. "Go ahead," Daniel said cautiously, "but don't touch it."
While Daniel went inside to make his purchases, Arkin circled the car, admiring every angle, running his hand over its smooth surface. He had always loved cars, even as a child.
When Daniel emerged moments later, he glanced toward the car—only to find Arkin gone. The vehicle itself had vanished as well. Panic surged through him. He ran to the cart, shouting his brother's name again and again.
A passerby approached. "Are you looking for someone?"
"Yes! My little brother, about ten years old. Did you see him?"
The boy nodded. "Just now, a city patrol car seized a child that age."
Daniel's heart pounded. Gripping the boy's shoulder, he gasped, "Do you know which way they went?"
"North," the boy said.
Daniel leapt onto his horse, abandoning the cart. He galloped northward, toward the great market. Soon he spotted a patrol car ahead, parked by the roadside with only one soldier inside.
Daniel dismounted and confronted him.
"You took my little brother! Why? Where is he?"
The soldier looked at him blankly. "What are you talking about? We haven't taken any child."
"But someone saw you—he said you took a boy this way!"
"Not true. Perhaps it was another patrol."
Daniel clenched his fists, then exhaled. "I see... Forgive me for troubling you."
"No trouble," the soldier replied calmly.
Daniel pressed on, riding further north in desperate hope—but found nothing. On his way back, the crack of gunfire froze his blood. Five shots, sharp and chilling. They came from the west—the very direction he had come from, near the bridge that connected Neuville to Castel City.
He spurred his horse toward the sound. Reaching the riverbank, he saw a crowd gathered by the bridge. Daniel pushed through, heart pounding, until at last he saw the terrible sight that had drawn them all...
To be continued...