? CHAPTER ONE — The Last Days of Home

  The afternoon sun dipped low over the village as dust settled from a massive explosion. Smoke curled from shattered fences, overturned carts, and deep cracks in the ground. Nexael and Elyon stood in the middle of the destruction, both panting lightly, sparking with raw magic that neither truly understood.

  Before either could speak, the door of their home burst open.

  Their mother ran out, eyes wide in horror.“Nexael!! Elyon!! What did you two do this time?”

  Nexael scratched the back of his head with an innocent grin.“Uh… practice?”

  Elyon closed his eyes with a sigh.“It was supposed to be controlled.”

  “You call this controlled?” she said, gesturing to the ruined neighborhood.

  The brothers opened their mouths to defend themselves—but she lifted a hand.

  “No. Not another word. Both of you inside.”

  They followed her quietly, heads lowered. Somehow, their mother’s disappointment was more terrifying than any elemental blast.

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  Inside, tension hung thick in the air. The wooden table still shook from the earlier explosion.

  Their mother inhaled deeply.“I knew this day would come,” she whispered. “You two are powerful… too powerful for this village to handle anymore.”

  Nexael and Elyon exchanged confused glances.

  She turned toward them, her eyes soft but sad.“I’ve enrolled both of you in the Valtarian Battle Academy.”

  Silence.

  Nexael’s jaw dropped.“The Academy?! The one that trains guardians of the Fountain of Life?!”

  Elyon frowned.“Mother… that academy is for elite warriors.”

  “Yes,” she said, voice trembling. “And that is exactly why you must go.”

  She stepped closer, cupping their faces with trembling hands.

  “You both have gifts that even I can’t teach you to control. The Academy exists to train protectors—warriors who guard the Fountain of Life and defend the realms from those who wish to steal its power.”

  Her breath shook.

  “You boys could become heroes… or disasters. And I won’t lose you to your own strength.”

  Nexael’s playful expression faded. His voice softened.“Mother… are you sad because we’re leaving?”

  She smiled, but sadness lingered in her eyes.“I am sad because you’re growing up. But proud… because you’re becoming the men you’re meant to be.”

  For the next two days, the brothers helped around the house, trying not to break anything else. Elyon stayed calm and focused as always. Nexael tried—really tried—not to cause trouble.

  Both boys agreed silently on one thing:No school, no academy, no rules would ever stop them from visiting their mother whenever they could.

  And deep down, they felt it—their destinies were about to change forever.