The day everything changed

The day everything changed

The weather today is beautiful, isn’t it, friends? From nearby, Nida’s voice echoed softly:

“Yes… even the sky looks so nice today!” Sami stood there, staring up at the vast blue sky. Zyan was beside him, quietly observing something above. Sami suddenly asked:

“What are you going to do with it, Zyan?” Zyan replied while carefully inspecting the sky:

“It got a little damaged… I’m just checking it.” “Alright then,” Nida said with a small smile:

“Come on, let’s go home, friends.”

With that, Nida, Zyan, and Sami started walking back toward their homes.

On the way, Sami suddenly spoke, breaking the calm air between them

“Guys… I need to tell you something.” Both Nida and Zyan turned toward him in surprise. Sami took a breath and said firmly:

“I’ve decided… I’m going to join the military!” Nida and Zyan froze in shock. Zyan immediately responded: “Are you out of your mind? Do you even know how much responsibility military officers carry?” Before Sami could answer, Nida stepped in: “Sami… you should understand this very well. Our country is surrounded by walls on all four sides… and beyond those walls, enemies and those so-called ‘Eldons’—whatever they are—have trapped everything in chaos…” She paused, her voice heavy: “Every year we lose so many soldiers… so why, Sami? Why do you still want this?” Sami’s eyes burned with determination: “Because if we just sit here doing nothing, nothing will ever change! We have to protect our country too. Understand?” Zyan sighed and turned away: “Forget it, Nida… he won’t understand. Let’s just go home.”

Sami was a boy full of fire. He never truly won easily in life—but he also never accepted defeat. He had lost his father when he was just four years old. Since then, he lived only with his mother. Nida lived with her parents, but she was not happy there. Her parents constantly argued over meaningless things. The only peace she found was when she spent time with Sami and Zyan because they were the closest to her heart. Zyan lived with his grandfather. He had been told that his parents died in an accident caused by Eldons after his birth. That pain still haunted him every single day.

Every evening, the three of them sat beside the river. Sami always talked about the world beyond the borders—because going outside was forbidden for ordinary people. Their land was called “Grunewald” Beyond its walls lay their enemies, the “Marziroo.” For generations, the Marziroo had remained their greatest threat. Stronger, more advanced, and feared by Grunewald’s government itself. Worse still, mysterious forces called Eldons kept the outer world in chaos, trapping Grunewald behind its massive protective walls. Because of this, Grunewald's army had been fighting Eldons for years without rest.

Sami looked at his friends and asked softly: “Guys… don’t you ever feel like seeing the outside world?” Nida replied gently “Yes… but you know it’s forbidden.”

“I know,” Sami said “But I’ve heard people have traveled beyond the walls… I wish we could too.” He turned to Zyan “And you?”

Zyan shook his head “No… I don’t want to go.” Sami blinked in surprise: “What? Why?”

Zyan hesitated before answering in a low voice “I heard my parents died outside… because of the Eldons. I… hate them. I don’t want to see that world.” Sami lowered his gaze “Oh… I didn’t remember that. I’m sorry.” Zyan quickly shook his head: “No, it’s okay. Why are you apologizing?”

Nida softly added “We shouldn’t talk about this anymore… I’m sorry too.” Sami smiled faintly: “Don’t apologize, both of you… you’re the only reason I can still smile.” For a moment, silence fell between them. Then—embarrassed smiles appeared on all three faces. Despite everything, they were three friends, best friends by heart, each other’s only comfort.

Suddenly, a cheerful voice rang out from behind them: “Hey!” They turned around. A girl approached them quickly—her presence bright and lively. Her name was Crista Valerion, a princess from the royal family. Despite her status, she had no arrogance. She preferred living like an ordinary girl and often spent time with them. Crista looked at Sami

“So, what’s going on here?”

Sami frowned slightly: “Crista… why are you here?” Crista rolled her eyes dramatically “Oh my god! Do I need a reason? I was bored, so I came to you guys!” Nida spoke gently “Crista… you’re a princess. You have a lot of responsibilities.” Crista shrugged

“Yeah yeah, I know… but I don’t care about all that.

” Zyan sighed: “We should head home. It’s getting late.” One by one, they parted ways and returned home.

That night, Sami sat at the dinner table with his mother. His heart was heavy, yet determined. Finally, he spoke: “Mom…” “Yes, beta?” she replied softly. Sami took a deep breath: “I want to join the military… I want to protect our country.” His mother looked at him quietly for a moment. Then she simply said: “Okay.” Sami froze: “W-What? Mom… you agreed? Just like that?” He stood up in shock and walked closer to her: “Are you really okay with this? Or are you angry?” She smiled gently: “Why would I be angry? I know how dangerous it is… but your father was also a soldier. I saw him fight bravely with my own eyes. If my son wants to follow his path and protect his country, why would I stop him?” Her eyes softened: “It will make me proud.” Sami’s eyes filled with emotion. He hugged her tightly: “Thank you so much, Mom!” She chuckled lightly and patted his back: “Alright, alright… enough drama. Now eat your food before it gets cold.”

In the morning, Sami went home with Zyan.

"Come on, Zyan," Sami said.

Afterward, the two of them went to Nida's house. The three friends then walked to their favorite placea large tree where they often spent hours talking together.

As they sat beneath its shade, Sami spoke up.

"Guys, I told my mom yesterday about joining the military."

Zyan looked at him. "Did she agree?"

Sami blinked in surprise.

"How did you know?"

"I just had a feeling," Zyan replied with a smile.

"That's great news," Nida said.

Sami nodded.

"Yeah, it is. You know, my mom was really calm when I told her. She said she had no problem with it because my father was a soldier too. She told me she was actually proud."

"Reaaally?" Nida said.

"By the way,"

Zyan said, exchanging a glance with Nida, "we have something to tell you, Sami."

"What is it?"

Nida smiled.

"We're joining the military too."

Sami immediately shook his head.

"Are you two crazy? I don't want to drag you into something so dangerous!"

"Shut up," Zyan replied. "Wherever you go, we'll go too."

"Exactly," Nida added. "We've already made our decision. You can't stop us."

Sami stared at them in disbelief.

"You really want this... my friends?"

Both of them nodded.

"Yes. That's exactly what we want."

For a brief moment, everything felt peaceful.

Then suddenly, the emergency bells of Ironhold City began ringing.

"The city is under attack! The city is under attack! Marziroo's army is attacking alongside the Eldons! Airships are dropping Eldons from the sky!"

Fear instantly spread across the city.

The Eldons were among Marziroo's deadliest weapons.

They were known as the Army of the Dead.

Whenever an animal or human died, Marziroo's forces could revive them as Eldons. Once brought back, their minds were consumed by an endless hunger for human flesh and blood. The moment they saw a living person, they attacked without hesitation.

For many years, the Eldons Hunters had fought relentlessly to protect Grunewald from these monstrous creatures.

Sami, Zyan, and Nida froze in terror.

Then they ran.

Each of them desperately tried to reach their families.

But it was already too late.

When Zyan arrived, he found a horrifying scene.

His grandfather had already been killed.

Several Eldons were feeding on his corpse.

Beside the body lay a locked box, still clutched in his grandfather's lifeless hand.

Zyan's eyes widened.

"Grandpaaaaa!"

Tears streamed down his face as he rushed forward and grabbed the box.

At that moment, one of the Eldons noticed him and lunged.

Just before it could reach him, an Eldons Hunter appeared and drove a blade straight through the creature's heart.

The monster collapsed instantly.

The hunter quickly pulled Zyan away from the danger.

Zyan didn't resist.

But he refused to leave the mysterious box behind.

He carried it with him.

Nida's situation was no different.

By the time he reached home, his parents were already dead.

He stood motionless before their bodies.

No words came from his mouth.

Only silent tears rolled down his cheeks.

Soon, a soldier arrived and gently led him away from the scene.

Meanwhile, Sami raced home with growing fear in his heart.

His greatest concern was his mother.

When he finally reached the house, he saw her crying.

Relief washed over him.

She was alive.

But in the very next second, an Eldon burst forward and attacked her.

"MOOOOOM!!!"

Sami screamed.

Without thinking, he rushed toward the creature and tried to pull it away from her.

The Eldon slashed him with its claws and threw him violently across the room.

Pain exploded through his body.

The world spun.

Before he could get back up, the monster killed his mother.

Sami watched helplessly as the creature devoured her.

His vision blurred.

His heart shattered.

Then the Eldon turned toward him.

It was coming to finish him off.

Suddenly, a High-Rank Eldons Hunter appeared.

With a single strike, the hunter pierced the creature's heart and killed it instantly.

Sami's consciousness faded.

The last thing he saw was the hunter carrying him away.

Throughout Grunewald, hidden safety caves had been built beneath the ground.

The survivors were evacuated there to escape the invasion.

Sami woke up after nearly eight hours. His eyes slowly opened as the dim light of the underground safety cave came into view. For a few moments, he couldn't remember what had happened. Then the memories returned. The attack. The Eldons. His mother. "Mom..." he whispered. Tears began rolling down his cheeks. He tried to sit up but a sharp pain shot through his body. "Don't move too much," a voice said. Sami looked up and saw the High-Rank Eldons Hunter who had saved him. "You've been unconscious for eight hours." Sami lowered his head. "My mother... she's gone, isn't she?" The hunter remained silent for a moment before nodding. Sami clenched his fists. His entire body trembled. The pain in his heart was far greater than the wounds on his body. Suddenly, he heard familiar voices. "Sami!" Zyan and Nida rushed toward him. The moment Sami saw them alive, he felt a small sense of relief. But when he looked into their eyes, he realized they were carrying the same pain. Nida stared at the ground while Zyan tightly held a locked box in his hands. Nobody spoke for several seconds. They all understood what the others had lost. Finally, Zyan broke the silence. "My grandpa is dead." Nida swallowed hard. "My parents too." Sami closed his eyes. "My mom..." The three friends sat there in silence. Everything they loved had been taken from them in a single day. The hunter looked at them and said, "The attack has destroyed a large part of Ironlond City. Thousands are dead. This is only the beginning. Marziroo has declared war on Grunewald." Sami slowly raised his head. His eyes no longer held only sadness. They held anger. Determination. "Then I'll fight," he said. "I'll become strong enough to destroy every Eldon and stop Marziroo." Zyan stood beside him. "Then I'll fight too." Nida nodded. "Me too." The hunter looked at the three young survivors. Deep inside, he could see a fire that had just been born. A fire that would one day shake the entire world. And so, in the darkness of an underground cave, the journey of three future warriors began.