Night had fallen by the time Kael returned to his small, warm house at the edge of the village. He unloaded the hunted deer and hung it behind the house to butcher the next morning. The cold air bit at his skin, but his mind was too full to feel tired or chilled.
Inside, Rana was already fast asleep, clutching her favorite fur doll—the only thing left from their mother.
Kael sat down quietly, letting the silence settle. But his thoughts kept circling the map, the wall, and the vast ocean he had seen earlier that day.
Slowly, he lifted a loose floorboard and pulled out a small wooden chest—his parents' keepsake. He had looked at it many times before, never truly understanding its meaning.
The tiny key that had hung around his neck since he was a child finally found its purpose.
Click.
Dust scattered as he opened the lid.
Inside were a few strange items: a folding knife with intricate metal carvings, a small flag-like cloth with an unfamiliar symbol, and a metal badge shaped like wings. Tiny words were engraved at the bottom:
"T.E.S – Terra Elite Sentinel."
Kael narrowed his eyes. He had never seen this symbol anywhere in the village.
There was also an old notebook filled with handwritten entries—written in a language not everyone in the village could read. But Kael could, at least partially. His mother had taught him before she passed away. He flipped to the first page.
> "If you've found this, Kael... then perhaps you've already seen the world they tried to hide."
Kael froze.
It was his father's handwriting.
> "I was part of T.E.S—an organization assigned to guard Terra Infinita. I was sent here to watch from within. But I chose to leave the system, because I didn't want my children growing up in a lie. I didn't want you to become a tool, like I once was."
His hands trembled. His heart pounded harder.
> "There will come a time when you must choose, Kael. Between living in a peaceful lie... or seeking the truth beyond the wall."
Kael slowly closed the book, his eyes staring blankly out the window into the dark.
The world he thought he knew had changed—twice in one day.
And now... all signs pointed to him.
The next morning, the sound of a prehistoric rooster crowing echoed from behind the wooden fence. Its call was hoarse and deep, unlike any ordinary rooster—more like a creature from an ancient time awakened by the sun.
In the distance, the chatter of sharp-beaked birds filled the trees, creating a wild melody unique to their village.
Inside the kitchen, Rana was already up. She busily chopped the deer meat Kael had brought home the day before, her small hands working quickly despite occasionally complaining about the freezing water and the toughness of the meat.
"Kael! Hey, wake up! I've already cut half of it!" she yelled, glancing toward his room.
But Kael was still asleep. He lay on his woven mat, shifting slightly, his face still weary—not from physical exhaustion, but from the weight of his thoughts. The map, his father's journal, the towering wall… they all haunted his mind.
Rana walked in holding a chunk of meat. She tossed it lightly toward him.
Plop!
"Get up, you lazy sloth! I can chop a deer's head off, your face is nothing!"
Kael flinched. "Whoa, whoa! Okay, Commander Rana! I surrender!"
"It's already late! Don't sleep like that long-necked bird that nests all day!"
Kael chuckled weakly and sat up. "What kind of bird is that?"
"I don't know! I just made it up!" Rana stuck her tongue out and walked back to the kitchen.
Kael rubbed his eyes, then glanced toward the small chest still slightly ajar beside him. His face turned serious again.
A new day had begun—but Kael knew his journey was far from over. And the longer he kept that secret, the more he felt… someone out there might already know he had seen what wasn't meant to be seen.
After bathing in the small stream behind their house, Kael dressed in his light hunting clothes. His hair was still damp, and he was biting into a piece of smoked meat while whistling casually.
Rana watched him suspiciously from the kitchen. "Where are you going this early? Don't tell me you're going hunting again."
Kael grinned while grabbing his quiver. "Not this time. Just going to show something to Teren. Don't worry, I'll be back before evening."
Rana huffed, "Be careful in the forest. And don't cause trouble."
Kael waved at her as he jogged down the path. The sky was already bright, and the village buzzed with the sounds of wooden tools, the smell of smoke from cooking fires, and the laughter of children running around.
He followed a narrow dirt path toward Teren's house.
It stood near the village gardens, surrounded by shrubs and small trees. Kael knocked on the wooden post twice, then gave a soft whistle—a signal they had used since childhood.
Soon enough, Teren appeared at the door, chewing on something, his hair a mess. "Morning... you're way too excited for this hour. What's up?"
Kael looked at him seriously. "I want to show you something. But it's a secret."
Teren raised an eyebrow. "A secret? Is this about the white deer from yesterday?"
Kael shook his head. "Bigger than that. Bring a knife, water, and your energy. We're leaving now."
Teren quickly swallowed whatever he was eating. "Oh boy… if you're in this mood, it's going to be a crazy day."
Kael and Teren decided to use Kael's uncle's horses. They quickly tied the reins and mounted their horses. This journey felt more serious, and although both were excited, the morning air felt sharper, biting at their skin.
They began to follow the narrow path leading into the dense forest. Giant trees stood firm on both sides, blocking out most of the sunlight except for a few beams that filtered through the canopy above.
Teren groaned quietly, glancing at Kael, who seemed more eager than usual. "Kael, the farther we go, the colder it gets. Be careful, don't freeze on me."
Kael smiled, his eyes full of curiosity. "That's exactly what's interesting, Teren. Pay close attention, and I'll show you. Something you've never seen before."
Teren looked at Kael with a puzzled expression. "What now? Don't tell me there's something strange in this forest again."
Kael only gave a faint smile, offering no further explanation. Their horses continued down the path, growing farther from the village, and the silence around them deepened.
The cold wind blew gently, seeping through their jackets. Teren shivered slightly, but Kael remained calm, as if he was enjoying the growing stillness surrounding them.
"This is it," Kael finally said, pointing to a narrow path between the large trees. "Follow me."
They kept riding, deeper into the forest, and the air grew colder still. Kael quickened his horse a little, as if he knew this path like the back of his hand. Teren followed, though his curiosity made him pay more attention to Kael than to the surroundings.