Chapter Two : Midnight's Moon

Kaladan, once ravaged by "The red night," had finally found peace after twenty long years. The pillars, which had once stood as a symbol of the land's destruction, now served as a beacon of hope for its people. The sun rose each day, casting its warm glow on the now-thriving city. Merchants bustled about the once-ruined streets, children played in the newly built parks, and farmers tended to their crops in the surrounding fields. The people of Kaladan had endured so much, but now, they could finally know peace.

Meanwhile, in the land of Nelmire,As the sun shone down on the small village, casting dappled light through the dense canopy of trees that surrounded it, Yin woke up from his makeshift bed, strung up between two trees. Beside him were small sacks of his belongings, which he quickly gathered and tied together. He looked around, trying to get his bearings as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. It took him a few moments to realize where he was.

Suddenly, he heard a loud croak of an old man calling out his name. Yin scrambled to his feet, scattering his belongings in a disorderly fashion as he made his way towards the source of the sound. He saw the village headman, a frail old man with a walking stick, looking at him sternly. His clothes were disheveled, and he wore a tattered singlet and shorts.

"I have been calling you for hours!" the old man exclaimed, raising his walking stick in the air. Yin held his head in pain and said, "There is no way that's true."

The old man scowled, "Get to the farm and bring the crops, you rascal!" He raised his stick to hit Yin, but Yin rushed away swiftly, avoiding the blow.

Yin knew he had to get to the farm quickly if he wanted to avoid the old man's wrath. He gathered his belongings and ran towards the fields, his heart pounding with fear and anticipation. As he ran, he could feel the hot sun beating down on his skin, the smell of freshly plowed earth filling his nostrils.

Despite the chaos of the morning, Yin couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the simple life he had in the village. He knew he had to work hard to earn the respect of the village headman and the other villagers

He runs into his two young friends, Dilan and Bran walked side by side, their steps light and carefree as they chatted about their day. They had been friends for as long as they could remember, growing up together in this idyllic little corner of the world.

As they walked, they spotted Yin in the distance, his small frame hunched over as he worked in the fields. He looked up as he heard their approach and a smile broke across his face. Dilan and Bran ran towards him, their arms outstretched in excitement.

"Yin! It's so good to see you!" Dilan exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he embraced his old friend.

Bran echoed Dilan's sentiment, his grin wide as he clapped Yin on the back. The three of them stood together, catching up on the events of the day and laughing at old memories.

Despite their friendship, there was a noticeable difference between the three. They chatted happily, their laughter filling the warm air. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from the tall bushes that flanked the path, followed by the high-pitched whimpers of a small animal. The boys froze, their eyes wide with fear.

Yin, always the bravest of the three, sprang into action without a second thought. "I'll go check it out," he said firmly, his jaw set with determination. Dilan and Bran trembled, their knees knocking together as they watched Yin disappear into the rustling foliage.

After a moment of tense silence, the bushes rustled once more, and Yin emerged clutching a small puppy wolf in his arms. The puppy whimpered pitifully, its fur matted and dirty from the ordeal. But the boys' attention was quickly drawn back to the source of the commotion as a massive wild boar charged towards them, its beady eyes fixed on Yin and the puppy.

Without hesitation, Yin sprang into action once more, grabbing the boar by its tusk and pulling it to the ground with a strength that surprised even his friends. The boar squealed in protest as it scrambled to its feet and retreated into the underbrush.

Yin's friends rushed to his side, their faces alight with awe and admiration. "Yin, you're amazing!" Bran shouted, his voice filled with excitement. Dilan added his own voice to the chorus of praise, marveling at Yin's strength and bravery.

As they petted the grateful puppy and congratulated Yin on his heroism, the boys couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. They knew that they had just witnessed something incredible, something that they would remember for the rest of their lives. And as they made their way back down the path to the farm, they did so with a newfound appreciation for the courage and strength of their friend Yin.

Yin, Dilan, and Bran, were returning from a hard day's work on the farm, each carrying a heavy basket of freshly harvested crops. With playful banter and friendly competition, they challenged each other to see who could carry the heaviest load, straining under the weight as they made their way back towards the settlement.

As they neared the village, their laughter and jesting turned to amazement as they caught sight of Yin, their dark-skinned friend who was no more than fifteen years old, effortlessly carrying two baskets stacked on top of each other. The boys' jaws dropped in disbelief as Yin urged them to hurry up, declaring that they were going to be late.

Their curiosity piqued, the trio quickened their pace and soon arrived at the heart of the village, where they were greeted by a sight that left them awestruck. A mage, dressed in a black cloak and armor that shimmered in the sunlight, stood before them, deep in conversation with the village headman.

Yin, Dilan, and Bran had heard tales of these powerful and enigmatic beings, but they had never seen one with their own eyes. Their hearts raced as they approached the mage and the village headman, wondering what they could possibly want with three young farmhands.

"Come here, you rascals," the village headman croaked, beckoning them over. The boys scrambled forward eagerly, their eyes shining with wonder and excitement.

The boys stood in the village square, their hearts pounding with excitement and anticipation. The mage had come seeking children with magic, and it seemed that they were the only ones left to be checked. The village headman had explained that the mage was looking for those with special abilities, and that they had a chance to join him on a new path in life.

Yin, Dilan, and Bran looked at each other nervously, unsure of what to expect. But when the mage reassured them that there was nothing to fear and that the process would be quick, Yin stepped forward bravely and declared that he was not scared. Dilan and Bran followed suit, though their attempt at bravery came off as more awkward than confident.

The mage smiled at the boys, his eyes alight with a glimmer of amusement. He stretched out his hand, and a bright light began to glow in his palm. With a few deft movements, he scanned each of the boys in turn, his expression growing more serious as he focused on their magical energy. But in the end, he smiled again, his face radiating with warmth.

"All done," he declared, and the boys eagerly asked if they would be joining him on his quest. When the mage confirmed that they would indeed be joining him, the boys let out a collective shout of joy, their excitement spilling out in a jumble of words and screams.

"We're going to be mages!" Dilan cried, his voice ringing out with wonder and delight.

But as the mage mounted his horse to leave, Yin stopped him, his eyes searching the mage's face.

"Wait," he called out. "You aren't taking us with you?"

The mage turned to face him, his eyes wise and gentle.

"Do not be too eager, young lings," he said. "Use tonight to say your goodbyes to your families, for tomorrow your life begins anew."

Yin nodded, his heart full of hope and anticipation. The mage rode off into the distance, leaving the boys to contemplate the adventure that lay ahead.

As the night falls, the boys rush to their homes to share the news with their families. Yin, the orphan, however, has no one to share the excitement with. He walks to his small shack, nestled beneath a large tree, and lies down, staring up at the twinkling stars above. Lost in thought, Yin doesn't notice the village headman approaching him until he startles and falls from his makeshift bed.g

"Beautiful sparkly things, aren't they?" the old man remarks, causing Yin to flinch. "Why do you always do that?" Yin asks, rubbing his head from the fall.

"If you can't hear an old man with a walking stick approaching you, then that's on you," the headman retorts, chuckling. "May I sit with you for a minute?" he asks, gesturing to the ground beside Yin's bed.

Yin nods silently, and the village headman sits down beside him. "You know, I've looked over you since you were a young boy, and I have watched you grow," he says, his voice growing softer. "I had known you were not like other children; you were stronger. You had to be, and I always regretted not taking you somewhere else, to find you a better life and a family."

Yin opens his mouth to reply, but the old man raises his cane and shouts, "Quiet! Don't talk while I'm speaking, you rascal!" A solemn moment follows as they both look over to the windows of Dilan's and Bran's houses, seeing them rejoicing with their families.

"But tomorrow, hopefully, all that will change. Your life will change," the village headman says, standing up and walking away. As he is leaving, Yin jumps up, saying with conviction in his voice, "Thank you for everything! As mages, we will change the lives of everyone in the village. I am grateful for everything you have done for me!"

The village headman pauses, turning back to Yin with a small smile. "You have always been bold, Yin. I have no doubt that you will make a great mage," he says, before continuing on his way.

Yin had finally found peace in his slumber, sinking deeper into his comfortable bed, when sudden commotion disrupted his serenity. It was Dilan and Bran, carelessly hurling themselves onto Yin's unsuspecting body, causing the bed to crumble beneath them. Yin's eyes shot open, his body jolting with pain and shock. He rose up from the wreckage of his once treasured bed, his face twisted in anger and frustration. "My...my bed," he gasped out, barely able to believe what had just happened. His gaze darted towards the two culprits, who were now cackling with glee. "I'm going to rip your heads off and attach them back," Yin seethed, his voice barely controlled. Dilan and Bran immediately recognized the dangerous glint in his eyes and quickly apologized, bowing their heads in shame. "We're so sorry," they said in unison, their voices timid and subdued. "We were just so happy." But before Yin could even think about accepting their apology, Dilan lunged at him once again, crashing them both to the ground with a resounding thud. Yin let out a pained gasp, his body wracked with agony as Bran joined in on the fun, jumping on his prone form. Through gritted teeth, Yin muttered, "Why you little..." as Dilan and Bran continued to laugh, completely oblivious to the harm they had caused.

Yin brushed off the dirt from his clothes and laughed, feeling the warmth of friendship enveloping him as he walked with Dilan and Bran. The trio took a stroll together, reminiscing and sharing stories while taking in the stunning surroundings. The full moon shone bright above them, illuminating their path as they made their way towards a cliffside.

As they approached the edge, they sat down together, letting out a collective sigh of relief after the strenuous climb. Dilan voiced out his disbelief, "I can't believe this is our last night as ordinary boys of Nelmire." Bran chimed in, "My mom made me a big supper to fit the occasion." Dilan nodded in agreement, "My mom did the same for me."

For a moment, the group realized Yin had been left out. Following a brief silence, Bran turned to Yin and said, "When we get back, Yin, I can give you some of mine." Dilan nodded in agreement, "Me too." Yin chuckled, "You guys shouldn't worry. After I become a mage, I can eat all the food I want."

Dilan and Bran's faces lit up with excitement once again. "Let's all eat what we want together!" they exclaimed, the sound of their laughter echoing in the quiet night air. They continued chatting and laughing, enjoying each other's company and the beauty of the moment. It was a night they would always remember - a night of friendship, laughter, and the promise of a bright future.

Dilan, Bran, and Yin made their way back home after spending the night at the cliff. Dilan and Bran climbed onto Yin's back for a ride back to the village, enjoying the jolly ride home as Yin's strength carried them with ease.

As they neared the village, they noticed something was off. It was eerily quiet and deserted. Dilan asked, "Where is everyone?" Bran added, "Maybe we stayed out too late. My mom is going to kill me." Then, Bran ran off.

Yin sensed something odd and said, "Something's wrong. We couldn't have stayed out that late." Dilan agreed, but Yin headed to bed. Nelmire had always been peaceful, and trouble had never found them before. However, as they walked deeper into the village, they noticed that some houses had doors left swinging by the wind, as if nobody was home.

Dilan stumbled and half-asleep, he saw Bran's face barely visible in the bushes. He called out, "Bran, what are you doing there?" But as Dilan approached, he saw something that made him freeze in fear. Bran's neck was clutched by the fangs of a creature with a bony structure and long, sharp claws and nails. Bran coughed up blood, and his body twitched as the creature sank its fangs deeper.

Dilan was frozen with fear, unable to scream. His eyes remained wide, and his lips stiff. The creature noticed Dilan and let go of Bran's body, and Dilan locked eyes with the creature but could not move a finger. The creature growled softly and lunged at Dilan, but Yin arrived just in time and hit the creature heavily with a stick, sending it to the ground.

Yin looked at Dilan with a stern stare and shouted at him to run.

Yin and Dilan sprinted away from the monster, their hearts racing with fear as they searched for cover. They could hear the creature's heavy footsteps behind them, getting closer and closer. Finally, they found a small alcove to hide in, their breathing ragged as they waited for the monster to pass. As they caught their breath, Yin turned to Dilan. "We have to warn the others," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your parents, the village headman. They need to know what's happening." Dilan nodded, still shaking with fear. He couldn't believe what they had just witnessed. His dear friend had been murdered in the most horrible way possible, and he felt helpless and lost. But Yin remained strong, her eyes locked onto his. "Be strong," she said, wiping away her own tears. "We still have to save the others." Together, they made their way through the village, calling out quietly to anyone who might be nearby. But they soon stumbled upon a trail of blood, body parts leading somewhere. Dilan covered his mouth, trying not to scream or vomit or maybe both, as Yin cautiously continued to follow the trail. Finally, they came upon a chilling sight in the village square. It was a tree made with the bodies of the villagers, spikes linking them together and poking through their dead eyes, mouths, and bodies. Dilan saw his entire family on the tree and he burst out crying from his lungs. Yin also saw the village headman, who she had come to think of as a father, strung up on the tree. She fell to the ground in despair. And just when they thought the sight couldn't get any worse, a fire was sparked on the tree of bodies, burning and melding them together. The light from the fire revealed a man in front of the tree. The man turned and revealed himself to be the same mage that had come to the village before. Yin and Dilan froze in terror, realizing that they were facing a powerful and dangerous enemy.

His presence was ominous, and his voice dripped with malice as he greeted them with a wicked smile. "Ah...good you're here," he said. "I was wondering how much of this village we would have to tear apart to find you."

Yin and Dilan exchanged uneasy glances, sensing danger. Yin whispered to Dilan, "On my signal, we run." Dilan, however, was consumed by panic and confusion. "What?" he stammered.

Yin repeated urgently, "We have to get out of here." Dilan stood up slowly, but the stranger's malevolent gaze remained fixed upon them. "Now," Yin said to Dilan, and they turned to run.

But their escape was halted by the bony creature they had encountered earlier - the same one responsible for killing Bran. Yin and Dilan froze in terror, their hearts pounding in their chests.

Their fear was compounded when they turned back and found themselves face-to-face with the stranger once again. He seized Yin in a choke hold and taunted them, "Where do you think you're going, after I went through all the trouble of preparing all this for you?"

He gestured to the tree of dead villagers, his tone suddenly sorrowful. "Where is the gratitude?" he asked. "If I didn't do this, you would have continued living with these insects, living a below-average life. But I have set you free!" He released Yin to the ground and spread his arms in a mocking celebration.

Still struggling to catch his breath, Yin asked in a hoarse voice, "What do you want with us?" The stranger paused, then replied cavalierly, "Your lives, of course." With a swift punch, he knocked Yin and Dilan unconscious, and darkness enveloped them.