Chapter two

After the meteor fell, it became clear that it was not a meteor at all…

but a strange object that came from a distant place no one knew.

And because of Luka’s natural curiosity, he wanted to go and investigate.

But he hesitated…

He didn’t want to leave Lia alone. She was all he had left—his only family.

He would never allow himself to lose her.

But in the end… curiosity won.

He approached Lia and said seriously:

“I’m closing the door. Don’t go out… and don’t open it for anyone. Understood?”

Lia looked at him with a small smile, just trying to reassure him:

“Okay…”

He left her and went.

When he reached the place where the object had fallen…

he only saw the aftermath. A burnt crater…

but the object itself had vanished.

And beside the crater, he saw a small house that looked like it hadn’t been there before.

Suddenly…

He heard a voice calling his name.

“Luka…”

He froze for a moment.

Then walked toward the house and entered, saying:

“Is anyone here?”

The voice became clearer…

He walked deeper inside until he saw a man sitting in the dark.

Luka asked:

“Who are you?”

The man replied in an eerily calm voice:

“The one you thought was calling you.”

Luka narrowed his eyes:

“Were you the one calling me?”

The man smiled:

“I didn’t say yes… and I didn’t say no.”

Luka grew irritated:

“Are you giving me riddles?”

The man replied:

“Yes… so give me the answer.”

Luka let out a frustrated sigh:

“What do you want? Are you mocking me? I don't have time for this.”

He turned to leave…

But the man said quietly:

“Lia… isn’t that your sister’s name?”

Luka stopped instantly.

He slowly turned back, shocked:

“H–How do you know that? Are you the Sage everyone in the village talks about?”

The man said calmly:

“If that’s what you want to call me.”

Then added:

“And to prove it… your sister is not at home right now. She’s outside.”

Luka’s eyes widened.

“You must be joking.”

The man said:

“See for yourself.”

Luka ran outside…

calling out:

“Lia! Is anyone here?!”

He suddenly heard a trembling voice:

“Luka?”

He turned—

and there was Lia standing behind him.

He was shocked the Sage was telling the truth.

He yelled at her out of sheer fear:

“Didn’t I tell you to stay at home?!”

She answered quietly, eyes filling with tears:

“I was worried about you…”

He rushed to her and hugged her tightly.

“I didn’t mean to yell… I’m sorry.”

She wiped her tears:

“It’s okay… I know you worry about me.”

He held her shoulders:

“Come on, I’m taking you home.”

But she grabbed his hand and said with uncharacteristic determination:

“I’m not going back… I’m going with you.”

He looked anxious:

“No. It’s dangerous.”

She stared into his eyes deeply:

“How can a place be dangerous… if you’re in it?”

Luka fell silent…

Then she held his hand tightly.

Together…

they went back inside to the mysterious man.

Jakaan was carrying food as he headed toward Tuwami so they could eat together, as they always did.

But when he arrived, he found him sitting alone, staring at the long calm moon, sorrow clearly carved into his face.

Jakaan asked:

“Why do you look so sad?”

Tuwami, still looking at the moon, his eyes reflecting its light, answered:

“I remembered my family… and I freed my horse. I can’t bear the loneliness anymore… I feel like everything is drifting away from me.”

Jakaan sat beside him and said in an attempt to lighten the mood:

“And what about me? Did you forget our friendship? Do you really think you’re alone?”

Tuwami smiled faintly:

“You make up for the loss of a brother… you really are like one. But… where is the rest of the family? You don’t live with me. And when we go our separate ways at night… what am I supposed to do?”

Jakaan fell silent for a moment, then said quietly, as if hiding something:

“I feel lonely too… but at least your family didn’t leave you by choice. But me—”

He stopped abruptly, then quickly added:

“I don’t like talking about that.”

Tuwami looked at him carefully, feeling that Jakaan was hiding something.

His friend stared at the ground, hands at his sides, his voice carrying a sadness Tuwami wasn’t used to hearing.

He thought:

“He’s hiding something… definitely hiding something.”

Then he broke the silence:

“We forgot all about the food… it must be cold by now.”

But even as he joked, Tuwami could clearly see the sadness behind his friend’s eyes.

Luka and Lia walked back into the mysterious house, where the man stood as if he had been waiting for them all along.

Luka stepped forward cautiously:

“What is the secret behind that strange object that fell from the sky?”

The man gave a mysterious smile:

“Maybe… it wasn’t an object. Maybe it was a being.”

Luka froze:

“What do you mean?”

The Sage turned his back and walked toward an old wooden box:

“You will discover that yourself.”

Luka said in frustration:

“Why do you always speak in riddles?”

The Sage chuckled:

“On the contrary… I’m simplifying everything for you.”

He opened the box slowly, reached inside, and held something hidden in his hand.

Suddenly, he stepped up to Luka and placed it firmly in his closed palm:

“Do NOT open it now! Or the consequences… will be severe.”

Before Luka understood, the Sage placed an identical item in Lia’s hand:

“And you… do not open it either.”

The siblings exchanged confused looks.

The Sage continued:

“Wish for the ability you desire… only in your mind.”

Luka closed his eyes:

“I wish for a great strength… enough to protect Lia no matter what.”

Lia whispered in her heart:

“And I wish for intelligence… wisdom… and strength. I want to take care of Luka the way he takes care of me.”

When they opened their eyes, the Sage handed another box to Luka:

“You’ll need this. And your team must consist of six members.”

Luka frowned:

“I… don’t understand anything! All I get from you is that you want me to form a team! But why?”

The Sage stepped closer and stared deeply into Luka’s eyes:

“To save your village.”

Luka’s mouth opened to ask more, but the Sage cut him off sharply:

“Do not ask more! Gather your team… and return.”

And suddenly—

he vanished right before their eyes.

Luka and Lia stood frozen in the dark house, fear and confusion swirling between them.

Then simultaneously, in the exact same moment, they said:

“What are we going to do…?”

Night was quiet at the grandfather’s house.

Emily returned exhausted from a long day of work, pushing the door open slowly with a small blue-wrapped box in her hand.

She smiled softly despite her fatigue:

“Kyle… or rather, Cookie… happy birthday, little one.”

She climbed the stairs and entered the child’s room.

He was asleep, but opened his bright eyes when she whispered his name.

She handed him the gift:

“Happy birthday, Cookie… look! I brought you something special.”

He sat up instantly, eyes sparkling with excitement:

“New shoes! They’re amazing! You’re the best aunt in the world, Emily!”

Emily laughed from the heart and hugged him tightly:

“And you’re the best nephew ever… Now go to sleep. It’s very late.”

She kissed his forehead:

“Sweet dreams, hero.”

Emily left the room and went to her grandfather’s room.

“Grandpa… do you want me to bring you dinner?”

He lowered the book and stared at her sternly:

“Do you think I would wait all this time to eat? Of course I already did.”

She lowered her head in quiet sadness:

“I’m sorry, Grandpa… it won’t happen again.”

He closed the book:

“I’m going to bed.”

He walked past her without a glance.

She stood still for a moment, holding back tears, then entered her room.

She picked up a photo from the table—her late brother.

She sat before it, tears falling silently:

“Where are you now…? I miss you so much. I’m tired… I can’t handle all this on my own…”

She spoke as if he could hear her, while the room grew darker and quieter.

Until suddenly—

a faint sound came from the kitchen.

She froze, gripping the door, slowly pushing it open, her steps trembling.

When she reached the kitchen…

Her eyes widened.

Something was there.

Something she had never seen before.

Something… that would change her life forever.

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