The night sky was painted red.
Flames consumed everything in sight.
Buildings collapsed into rivers of fire, and screams echoed through the chaos.
Amid the destruction, a lone figure ran desperately through the burning streets, carrying two infants wrapped in dark cloth.
The figure’s face was hidden.
The babies opened their eyes for the first time.
For only a few brief seconds, they saw fire.
They saw destruction.
They saw death.
Then darkness swallowed everything.
Shadow suddenly sat upright in bed.
“Hah…!” Cold sweat covered his forehead as he struggled to catch his breath.
Beside him, KING woke up at exactly the same moment, breathing just as heavily.
The room was silent except for their ragged breathing.
The two brothers looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
They already knew.
It was the same dream.
The same burning world.
The same unknown figure carrying them through the flames.
A dream they had seen every night for as long as they could remember.
Yet neither of them had ever told anyone about it.
Not their parents.
Not Uncle Ren.
No one.
After a few moments, Shadow stood from his bed.
“We should go.” KING nodded.
“Training starts soon.” The two twins dressed themselves and left their room.
The morning air was cool as they walked through the palace grounds.
Soldiers saluted respectfully as the princes passed.
Flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the golden towers of the capital shone beneath the rising sun.
It was a peaceful sight.
Yet neither brother paid much attention to it.
Soon they arrived at the training grounds.
A tall man was already waiting for them.
Uncle Ren.
The Empire’s greatest warrior.
A black warrior mask hung at his waist, a symbol of countless battles and victories.
Standing beside him was his assistant.
“You are late,” Ren said.
“We arrived exactly on time,” Shadow replied.
Ren smirked.
“Then let’s begin.” Without another word, the twins drew their training swords.
Clang!
Steel collided.
The force of the impact sent dust flying across the arena.
The assistant widened his eyes.
Although they were only teenagers, the twins moved with unbelievable speed.
Shadow attacked first.
His strikes were precise and calculated.
KING immediately countered, responding with overwhelming aggression.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The sounds of swords echoed throughout the training grounds.
The assistant watched in amazement.
“They’re incredible.” Ren folded his arms.
“They are.” The assistant shook his head.
“I’ve never seen talent like this before.” For a moment, Ren remained silent.
Then he spoke.
“Their talent is unknown.” The assistant looked confused.
“What does that mean?” Ren’s eyes followed the movements of the twins.
“It means I cannot see their limits.” The assistant stared.
Ren continued.
“But one thing is certain.” His voice became serious.
“Their potential is limitless.” The assistant’s expression froze.
Limitless.
Such a word was rarely spoken by Uncle Ren.
Yet today he had spoken it without hesitation.
Several hours later, the training finally ended.
The twins stood exhausted but satisfied.
KING grinned.
“I can’t wait to become a warrior.” Shadow nodded.
“Neither can I.” KING’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“And when we do, we’ll finally get our own warrior masks.” Ren chuckled softly.
“Don’t worry.” He placed a hand on both of their shoulders.
“You’ll earn your masks very soon.” The twins exchanged smiles.
“Really?” “Of course.” Then Ren suddenly remembered something.
“Your father and mother are waiting for you at the palace.” Shadow nodded.
“Understood.” KING stretched his arms.
“Let’s go.” The brothers left together, talking and laughing as they disappeared down the stone path.
The assistant smiled as he watched them.
“The princes look happy today.” He sighed.
“I hope they stay like that forever.” For a moment, Ren said nothing.
Then he quietly replied: “Those smiles aren’t real.” The assistant blinked.
“What?” Ren’s expression became unusually serious.
“KING and Shadow.” “They have little to no emotions.” The assistant stared at him in disbelief.
“What are you talking about?” “They learned from us.” Ren looked toward the distant figures of the twins.
“They learned when to smile.” “When to laugh.” “When to act happy.” His voice grew quieter.
“But in reality…” “They feel almost nothing.” The assistant felt a chill run down his spine.
“That’s impossible.” “I wish it was.” For the first time, concern appeared in Ren’s eyes.
“Those boys are different.” Very different.
Far away, inside the Imperial Palace, golden pillars stretched toward the ceiling.
Rows of guards stood silently on both sides of a magnificent hall.
At the end of the hall sat the ruler of the empire.
The Emperor.
His gaze was calm.
Yet behind his eyes rested a burden known only to him.
As he sat upon his throne, he stared out the palace window toward the distant horizon.
Waiting.
Waiting for his sons to arrive.
Unaware that fate was already moving.
And that the peaceful world they called home would soon become nothing but ashes.
End of Chapter 1