Chapter 1: The chosen one

Scene 1: The Boys Playing

(Holy kingdom)

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the lush green fields of the Holy Kingdom. Two young boys, Nathaniel and Uzah, raced through the tall grass, their laughter echoing in the crisp afternoon air. Nathaniel, always the quicker of the two, ran ahead with a teasing grin on his face.

"Come on, lazy bones! You'll never catch me!" Nathaniel called out, glancing back at his younger brother.

Uzah, panting and determined, struggled to keep up. "I won't let you win this time! Just you wait… I'm coming for you!" he shouted back, his face red with exertion.

Their mother watched from a distance, a warm smile on her face. She raised a hand to her lips, her fingers crossed gently as if holding in a secret. "Be careful, my darlings! I don't want either of you getting hurt," she called out, her voice gentle but firm.

"We will, Mom!" the boys laughed, their voices overlapping as they continued their playful chase.

Suddenly, Uzah stumbled on a hidden rock and fell, rolling in the grass. Nathaniel's laughter faded immediately, concern flashing across his face. He stopped and rushed back to his younger brother. "Are you okay, Uzah?" he asked, reaching down to help Uzah up.

Uzah nodded, brushing off the dirt with a small smile breaking through despite the tears welling in his eyes. "I'm fine… just a scratch," he said, trying to sound brave.

Their mother sighed with relief, her smile returning as she watched her sons continue their game. The warm glow of the setting sun bathed the scene in a soft, golden light.

Scene 2: At Dinner

That evening, the family gathered around a small wooden table in their cozy cottage. The room was lit by a single lantern hanging from the wooden beam ceiling, casting a soft glow over the stone walls. The crackling fireplace filled the room with warmth, contrasting with the chilly night outside. The aroma of a simple stew wafted through the air, creating a comforting atmosphere.

Nathaniel suddenly broke the silence, his voice filled with urgency. "Mother!" he exclaimed.

His mother looked up from her meal, smiling gently. "Hmm?" she responded, her tone soft and loving.

"Is Uncle Takeshi coming to visit us tomorrow?" Nathaniel asked, his eyes bright with hope.

His mother's expression became thoughtful, a hint of mystery in her eyes as she glanced away. "I'm not sure, dear. Your uncle… he's a mysterious man. But patience, my love. If he can, he will," she replied, her voice tinged with a sense of longing.

Uzah's face fell, his earlier excitement fading into disappointment. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his voice trembled. "But… he promised… Aaaaaah!" he cried out, his voice filled with sadness.

Their mother leaned closer to Uzah, her voice soft but teasing. "Shh, don't cry, Uzah. Do you want the Cocoy to come and get you?" she asked with a playful smile.

Uzah's eyes widened in fear, and he quickly wiped his tears, sniffling. "Noooo!" he exclaimed, shaking his head vigorously.

She chuckled softly, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Good boy. Now finish your meal," she said warmly.

As the family continued eating, Nathaniel's face grew serious. He glanced at his mother, his expression filled with concern. "Mother… we're running low on firewood. Should we collect more tomorrow?" he asked, his voice thoughtful.

His mother nodded slowly, her expression turning somber. She looked at both boys with a firm, knowing gaze. "Alright, but promise me… neither of you will take off those bandages. Understand?" she said, her voice stern but caring.

"We promise," the boys replied in unison, nodding earnestly.

Uzah yawned, his eyes drooping as he leaned against the table, his voice fading. "Mother… sing us a lullaby…" he murmured sleepily.

Their mother smiled gently, her voice soft and soothing as she began to sing a familiar lullaby. The melody filled the room, wrapping the boys in a warm, comforting embrace as their eyes slowly closed, drifting into sleep.

"Goodnight, Mother…" Nathaniel whispered, yawning as his eyes grew heavy with sleep.

Their mother watched them with a tender smile, her heart full of love as she gently turned off the lantern, the warmth of her presence lingering even as the room dimmed into darkness. "Sleep tight, my sweet boys…" she whispered softly before leaving the room quietly, the soft creaking of the wooden floor the only sound as the cottage settled into the peaceful quiet of the night.

Scene 3: The Next Day - Encounter with the Bullie

The next morning, the boys set out early. The sky was a pale blue, the first light of dawn just beginning to peek over the horizon. The forest around them was dense and quiet, the tall trees swaying gently in the morning breeze. Nathaniel and Uzah walked carefully along a narrow, winding path, their breath visible in the cold air. Nathaniel led the way, his senses alert.

"Stay close, Uzah. The forest feels different today," Nathaniel cautioned, glancing around warily.

The path was covered with frost, and every step was accompanied by the crunch of frozen leaves beneath their feet. Uzah shivered slightly, clutching his arms as he followed closely behind Nathaniel. "It's so quiet… too quiet," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

As they gathered firewood, a sense of unease settled over them. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by the sound of footsteps behind them.

Four older boys, known as the village bullies, stepped out from behind the trees. Their faces were twisted into cruel grins, and they spread out, surrounding Nathaniel and Uzah. The leader, a tall boy with a sneer, spoke first.

"Well, well… look who's crawling out of their hole! It's the devil twins, boys," the leader jeered, his voice filled with contempt.

Nathaniel quickly stepped in front of Uzah, his expression firm but fearful. "Uzah, stay behind me…" he said, pulling his younger brother behind him protectively.

The trees around them seemed to loom closer, their branches creaking in the cold wind. The once-familiar forest now felt like a trap, closing in on them.

"You think you can take us? We're four against two. Little weaklings…" one of the bullies taunted, stepping forward menacingly.

Nathaniel pleaded, his voice trembling slightly. "Please… just let us pass. We don't want any trouble," he begged, trying to reason with them.

The bullies laughed cruelly, their eyes filled with malice. "Trouble found you. You don't belong here," another bully sneered, his voice dripping with hostility.

Nathaniel clenched his fists, desperation creeping into his voice. "Take the firewood, but let us go. Please…" he implored.

The leader of the bullies sneered, his voice cruel and mocking. "Tempting, but no. We want you out of Holy Kingdom," he said coldly.

Nathaniel stood his ground, his voice firm. "This is our home. We're not leaving," he declared defiantly.

Before the tension could escalate further, a sudden rustling sound came from the bushes behind them. Uzah's eyes widened in terror as a massive bear emerged from the undergrowth, its eyes wild and fierce.

"Nathaniel… be… be… bear!!!" Uzah stammered, his voice barely a whisper as fear gripped him.

Both boys screamed in terror as the bear charged towards them. Nathaniel tried to run, but Uzah was frozen in place, his eyes locked on the massive creature. But when Nathaniel returned to take Uzah, In a split second, the bear swiped at Nathaniel, sending him crashing to the ground, injured badly.

Seeing his brother hurt, Uzah got shocked and in that moment something awakened within Uzah. His fear transformed into raw, desperate energy. His hands began to glow with a faint silver and blue light, crackling with power. In an instant, a surge of energy shot out from him, striking the bear and killing it instantly.

Uzah rushed to Nathaniel's side, his body trembling with shock. "Nathaniel… hold on… I'm here…" he whispered, his voice breaking.

He struggled to lift Nathaniel, tears streaming down his face as he began to carry his brother home, his heart pounding with fear and adrenaline.

Scene 4: The Mother's Sacrifice

Back at the cottage, the warmth of the fireplace was a stark contrast to the chill of the morning air. The small kitchen was filled with the comforting scent of herbs hanging from the rafters. The sound of footsteps echoed down the narrow hallway, becoming louder and more frantic. Uzah burst through the door, his face pale and his breathing ragged as he carried Nathaniel's limp body in his arms.

"Mother! Help! Nathaniel's hurt!" Uzah cried out, his voice frantic.

Their mother rushed out from the kitchen, her eyes wide with alarm. She dropped the basket she was holding, the contents scattering across the floor. Without hesitation, she ran to Uzah and gently took Nathaniel from his arms, laying him on the wooden table.

She gently laid Nathaniel on the wooden table, her hands moving quickly and expertly as she assessed his injuries. Her eyes were filled with both fear and determination as she pressed a cloth against the deep wound on Nathaniel's side, trying to stem the bleeding.

"Stay with me, Nathaniel. Stay with me, my son," she murmured,her voice trembling but steady as she worked.

Uzah stood by, his small body shaking with fear and guilt "Is.... is he going to be okay?" he asked, his voice a barely audible whisper, choked with sobs.

His mother glanced at Uzah, noting the final glow still lingering around his hands. A look of shock crossed her face as a realization struck her. She turned to Uzah,her voice now filled with urgency and confusion.

"Uzah how did this happen? How did Nathaniel get hurt?" She demanded, her eyes wide and searching.

Uzah's voice was thick with guilt and confusion."He.....he tried to save me from a bear.....then my arms.....they glowed ....l...

I don't know what happened....." He stammered, tears streaming down his face.

His mother face paled. She grabbed Uzah's hands, turning them over and examining the faint traces of energy that still clung to his skin.

"No.... it's too early....and he was not supposed to be the one to awaken....?" She whispered more to herself than to Uzah.

She looked at him, her voice trembling with fear and disbelief. "What colour was your hand, Uzah?" She asked urgently.

"Silver..." Uzah replied softly, his eyes wide with confusion.

Her eyes widened with horror." Wind..." She murmured, realization dawning on her.

She understood immediately that awakening of Uzah was not meant to happen, especially not in this way. The prophecy had. been clear- it was Nathaniel who was destined to awaken his power first, not Uzah. She shook her head, trying to focus and gently lifted Nathaniel in her arms to carry him inside a room.

Just as she moved Nathaniel to a safer place , a sudden chill swept through the cottage extinguishing the fire in the hearth. The room plunged into darkness, the only light coming from the pale morning sun filtering through the cracks in the wooden shutters. Her eyes darted to the window, her heart pounding. She sensed it _ the presence of danger. The cursed warriors were near.

She moved quickly, hiding Uzah and Nathaniel under the floorboards in the small cellar beneath the kitchen. Her face was set with grim determination her eyes fierce as she stood up, ready to face whatever threat approached. A group of shadowy figures emerged from the forest, their footsteps heavy and purposeful. The leader,a tall man with cold, emotionless expression, stepped forward.

"What do you want here?" She demanded, standing firm in the doorway,her voice steady, her voice steady but filled with underlying fear.

The leader of the group, Hillel, stared at her with a menacing grin "we want the chosen one,"he replied, his voice cold and flat.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't let her fear show. She squared her shoulders, her voice growing more resolute,"you're at the wrong house,"she stated firmly.

Hillel's grin widened, and he gave a small, mocking laugh. " Search the house, boys," he ordered giving a signal to his men.

The cursed warriors moved toward the cottage at she stepped forward, blocking their path, her eyes blocking with defiance." No one gets inside," she declared, her voice like steel.

The warriors hesitated for a moment but then one of them drew his sword and lunged at her, she moved swiftly, pulling out a small dagger hidden in her robe, and parried the attack. The battle was fierce and brutal. Despite her agility and strength, the warriors quickly overwhelmed her. A sharp blade found its mark, and she collapsed to the ground, blood seeping from her wound. She gasped for breath, her vision blurring as the world around her darkened.

Hillel sighed, wiping his blade. "I don't like killing women.... but she was tough," he muttered, a hint of regret in his voice.

One of the warriors, Mathew, pushed open the floorboards and dragged the boys out from their hiding place. Nathaniel, still unconscious lay limp in his grasp, while Uzah terrified eyes locked onto his mother, her life fading before him.

"I've found them," Mathew announced coldly, holding Uzah and Nathaniel tightly.

Uzah struggled weakly, his heart breaking at the sight of his mother lying motionless on the ground. "Mother...no....!" he sobbed, his voice filled with desperation.