Chapter 1

  Aeron & Rowan

  Year 2890.

  The morning sun shines through the dense canopy of trees, casting golden streaks across the forest floor. Birds chirping, and the crisp scent of damp earth filling the air. A small wooden cabin stood among the towering pines—not extravagant, but sturdy and warm, built with care. Smoke curled from the chimney.

  Inside, Aeron sat at the table, stuffing his mouth with bread while Rowan sat across from him, chewing slower, his gaze distant. Their father, Orion, stood by the door, adjusting the straps of his hunting gear.

  “Alright, boys,” Orion said, his voice calm but firm. “Finish up. We’re heading out soon.”

  Aeron swallowed his last bite and grinned. “We’ll catch many fishes today, right, Dad?”

  Rowan, arms crossed, sighed. “Tch. You act like you’re the one catching them.”

  Their mother, Evelyn, walked over, ruffling Aeron’s hair before giving Orion a knowing look. “Just don’t go too far, alright? And keep an eye on them,” she warned.

  Orion chuckled. “We’ll be back before Sunset. Don’t worry.”

  Aeron practically bounced in excitement, while Rowan simply grabbed one of the boar spears. The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant chirping. Sunlight filtered through the towering trees, casting shifting patterns on the ground as Orion led his sons through the familiar path toward the river. The earthy scent of damp wood and moss filled the air, making Aeron take a deep breath, savoring the cool morning breeze.

  When they reached the riverbank, the water was crystal clear, reflecting the towering trees above. Small fish darted beneath the surface, their silver bodies glinting in the sunlight. Orion set down his bag and grabbed a long wooden spear, nodding toward his sons.

  “Alright, let’s see if you two have been paying attention,” he said, smirking. “Stay still, aim for the movement, and strike fast.”

  Aeron gripped his own spear, eyes locked on the water. In a flash, he lunged forward, thrusting the tip into the river. A splash erupted, and when he pulled back, a wriggling fish was skewered on the end.

  “Yes!” Aeron grinned, lifting the fish high.

  Orion chuckled. “Well done, Lad. That was clean.”

  Rowan clenched his jaw, gripping his spear tighter. He stepped forward, mimicking Aeron’s stance, but when he struck, his spear cut through the water—empty. The fish had slipped away.

  “Tch.” Rowan gritted his teeth. He tried again. And again. Each time, the fish escaped.

  Meanwhile, Aeron landed another. Then another. Orion clapped his shoulder, beaming with pride. “You’re a natural, Aeron.”

  Rowan’s hands tightened around the spear. He could feel it again—that frustration gnawing at his chest. No matter what, Aeron was always the best. Always the one their parents praised. Always the one who shined.

  “Rowan, focus,” Orion said, noticing his son's clenched fists. “It’s about patience, not strength.”

  Rowan said nothing, lowering his spear into the water. But inside, the envy burned.

  With their catch secured in a woven sack, Orion slung it over his shoulder, giving Aeron an approving nod. "You did good today,Lads" he said, ruffling his son’s hair. Aeron grinned, wiping fish scales off his hands, while Rowan remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the ground. “You’ll get the hang of it, Rowan.” Said Orion with a smile, ruffling his hair.

  The three of them set off toward a nearby village, their boots crunching against the forest floor. The path was long, winding between thick trees and moss-covered rocks, but Orion led the way with ease. They had done this trip many times before.

  By the time they reached the village, the sun had shifted lower in the sky, casting warm orange hues over the small wooden houses. The villagers greeted them with familiarity, exchanging nods and smiles as Orion and his sons set up near the marketplace. The smell of freshly baked bread and smoked meat filled the air, mixing with the salty scent of their fresh fish.

  One by one, they handed over their catch to eager buyers, trading for a few silver coins and some essentials—dried herbs, flour, and a small pouch of salt. Rowan watched as Aeron handled the sales effortlessly, chatting with the villagers, laughing when one of the older women pinched his cheek and called him "a fine young man." He clenched his fists, his chest tightening with frustration.

  As the last fish was sold, Orion stretched his arms with a satisfied sigh. "That should be enough. We need to head back before nightfall."

  The journey home was quiet, with only the distant chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The sky dimmed to shades of violet and amber, reminding them that night would soon come. Fortunately, they lived close enough to the kingdom’s borders, where hunters patrolled the roads at night, keeping the Revenants at bay.

  By the time they reached home, the first stars were beginning to twinkle above. Inside their cabin, the warm glow of the hearth welcomed them. Their mother had already prepared a simple meal, and they sat around the wooden table, eating the remaining fish from their hunt.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "It was a good catch today," Orion said between bites.

  "Yeah, Aeron caught most of them," Rowan muttered, stabbing his fork into his food. His mother gave him a glance, sensing the bitterness in his voice. “You’ll get it, Rowan, I know it.”

  Aeron, unaware of his brother’s resentment, simply smiled. "We’ll catch even more next time."

  Rowan didn’t respond. He only focused on his plate, the flickering candlelight casting shadows over his face.

  After dinner, the warmth of the cabin settled in, the crackling fire filling the quiet space with a soft, rhythmic sound. Their mother, Evelyn, collected the plates, humming a tune as she wiped the table clean. The scent of smoked fish still lingered in the air.

  As usual, Orion stood from his seat and stretched, rolling his shoulders. "I’ll be in the lab," he said simply, his tone final, as if it were just another part of his routine.

  Aeron and Rowan exchanged a quick glance. They both knew what came next. Their father walked toward the farthest room in the cabin, the one door that remained locked at all times. It was nothing special from the outside—just an old wooden door with a rusted handle—but to the two boys, it might as well have been a vault hiding the world’s greatest secrets.

  Rowan crossed his arms, watching as their dad disappeared inside, the door clicking shut. "What do you think he even does in there?" he muttered, keeping his voice low.

  "Probably making potions," Aeron joked, kicking his feet up on the bench. "Or some kind of invention. Dad is a scientist, after all."

  Rowan scoffed, resting his chin on his palm. "If it’s just that, why won’t he let us see? Even Mom isn’t allowed inside."

  Aeron shrugged. "Maybe it’s dangerous."

  Rowan’s eyes flickered toward the door again. "Or maybe he’s hiding something."

  That thought hung between them like an unsaid truth, but before either of them could say more, their mother’s voice cut through their thoughts.

  "Enough of that," Evelyn said firmly, setting down a freshly washed plate. "You know your father doesn’t like it when you ask about that room."

  "But Mom—"

  "No buts," she said, giving Rowan and Aeron a warning glance. "That room is his work. Whatever he’s doing, it’s important, and you need to respect that."

  Rowan let out a frustrated sigh and slumped back in his seat. Aeron, on the other hand, accepted the answer easily. If their father wanted to keep it a secret, there had to be a good reason.

  Still, that didn’t stop Rowan’s curiosity from burning in the back of his mind.

  For hours, the only sounds in the house were the occasional crackle of the fire and the faint, muffled noises coming from behind that locked door. Whatever their father was doing in there, he was always there until midnight.

  And every night, when he finally came out, he looked more tired than the last. A few hours passed, and the warmth of the cabin slowly dimmed as the fire in the hearth burned lower. The night air outside carried a distant howl of wind through the trees, rustling the wooden walls ever so slightly. Aeron and Rowan sat on the floor, playing with their wooden carved toys, sleep tugging at their eyes, but they stayed awake, waiting.

  Then, the familiar creak of a door echoed through the quiet house.

  Their father stepped out of his lab, rubbing his temples as if carrying the weight of a long, exhausting day. His usually sharp eyes looked dull with fatigue, and there was a stiffness in his movements as he closed the door behind him.

  This was their chance.

  "Father," Aeron started carefully, sitting up straight. "What do you do in there every night?"

  Orion barely glanced at him as he made his way to the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of water. "Work," he said simply.

  Rowan frowned. "What kind of work?"

  Orion took a slow sip before sighing. "Nothing you need to worry about."

  Rowan, not satisfied with that answer, leaned forward. "But why can’t we even take a look?" he pressed. "Not even Mom is allowed inside."

  Orion’s grip on the cup tightened slightly. "Because it’s not for you to see," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

  Aeron gently grabbed his arm but Rowan pulled it away, Rowan wasn’t letting it go. "But why? We’re your sons! We should know what you’re doing!"

  Aeron shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension in their father’s shoulders. But Rowan, driven by his own stubborn curiosity, pushed further. "What’s so important that you have to keep it from us?"

  Orion’s patience snapped.

  "Enough!" his voice boomed through the cabin, making both boys flinch. "You will not ask about that room again!"

  For a moment, there was only silence. The flickering fire cast long shadows on the walls, making the cabin feel colder than before. Rowan’s hands clenched into fists on his lap, his lips pressed into a thin line. Even Aeron, who usually stayed calm, felt his throat tighten.

  But just as quickly as his anger had flared, their father took a slow breath and ran a hand down his face. He looked at his sons—two wide-eyed ten-year-olds who had only asked out of curiosity, not rebellion. Regret flickered across his face.

  He knelt in front of them, his voice softer now. "Listen," he said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "You’re still children. Only ten years old. There’s a lot about this world you don’t understand yet. And some things… you’re not ready to know."

  Aeron swallowed and nodded slightly, but Rowan’s face was still twisted in frustration.

  Orion sighed. "One day, you’ll grow up, and you’ll start seeing the world for what it truly is. And when that time comes, I promise you, everything will make sense. But for now…" His gaze flickered to the locked door for just a second before he stood up. "Just trust me."

  Rowan didn’t answer.

  Orion gave them one last tired look before stepping away. "Go to bed, you both with your mother upstairs" he murmured.

  Aeron silently got up and pulled Rowan along, even as his brother still looked like he had more to say. But for tonight, he stayed quiet.

  The fire crackled one last time before dying down completely.