At dawn, the adventurers convened in the heart of Shinata’s woodland. Laden with provisions, gear, and weapons, they secured their belongings atop their steeds. As they surveyed the surroundings, awe overtook them—the forest shimmered with enchantment. Butterflies danced through the air, towering emerald trees swayed gently, muddy trails meandered like forgotten paths, and dewdrops scattered across leaves cast a kaleidoscope of colors. Solaris beamed overhead, its brilliance uninterrupted by clouds, and the early morning hush was broken only by the distant murmur of forest life.

  Soliman, tall and striking with a muscular build, thick black beard, and shaggy hair, stood apart. His skin glowed with vitality, and his open black shirt revealed a sculpted chest, framed by minimal hair. His pants clung tightly at the pelvis, loosening at the legs, adding to his rugged allure. Yet beyond his charm lay something far more vital—Soliman possessed extraordinary abilities. He could interpret signs from the universe and translate the unspoken thoughts of its inhabitants into words. His presence was not just magnetic—it was essential.

  He turned to the group and said, “This marks the commencement of our journey—a promising sign from the universe.”

  Soliman and Khater shared a deep bond, forged during their adolescent training. In Caber, all humans undergo mandatory combat and survival training at age sixteen, preparing for potential confrontations with the planet’s non-human inhabitants, who harbor deep resentment toward humans.

  Khater walked beside Soliman, nodding in greeting before addressing the group. “I’m grateful to each of you for joining this mission. It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary. We must rescue our children. Let’s begin.”

  The group nodded solemnly, fear flickering in their eyes.

  Khater had spent countless hours contemplating this journey. Human survival on Caber was limited to two regions: the forested surface, where oxygen and food were abundant, and the seventh frelam—a human-engineered atmospheric layer encircling the planet. Shielded from Solaris’s harsh rays, the seventh frelam maintained Earth-like conditions, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. All other regions were dominated by non-human species.

  The wizard had revealed to Khater that the beings responsible for the children's abduction were known as the ghostly creatures, dwelling deep within the Black Reef—a region engulfed in suffocating heat and thick smoke, inhospitable to human life. Khater couldn’t fathom how the children could have survived such conditions. Yet, only the journey ahead would unveil the truth.

  As he stood lost in thought, weighing their next steps, a woman quietly approached.

  “I found this ancient map in my son’s room after he disappeared,” she said, handing Khater a worn piece of paper. “I believe he was taken by those ghostly beings.”

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  Khater studied the map with several companions. It marked Shinata and showed three dense forests to the northeast and one to the west but lacked details about the frelams above. After deliberation, they chose to head northeast.

  The travelers gathered their supplies. Those without horses—brought from Earth—opted for sflurs, native winged creatures resembling horses. The less fortunate walked.

  Two young men, Yelk and Sham, conversed quietly.

  Yelk said, “You know, my friend died like that.”

  Sham frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “He spoke of the blue flower the old woman warned about. I didn’t take him seriously. He said it was taking control of him. He became distracted, talked to himself. Once sharp and well-groomed, he turned disheveled, obsessed. Then he vanished. A week later, his parents found his body. His skin was blue, his eyes bloodshot. No one knows what happened.”

  Suddenly, a shout rang out. “Look out!”

  All eyes turned skyward. A formation of radiant women descended on winged sflurs, clad in flowing white garments and wielding diamond-forged swords. They landed gracefully before the stunned travelers.

  “We’ve come to assist you,” one announced. “The wizard sent us. We are her army—the Rams.”

  They unloaded sacks filled with nourishing provisions, distributing food and water.

  Khater stepped forward. “Thank you, but we have enough people. We appreciate the wizard’s help.”

  The Rams’ leader approached. Her milk-toned skin and light blue eyes shimmered beneath her blonde hair, which flowed around the ram horns adorning her head.

  “Take this,” she said, offering a small mirror framed in stone. “You can speak to the wizard through it.”

  Khater, captivated by her beauty yet resolute in his mission, accepted the mirror and tucked it into his pocket.

  “Please thank the wizard,” he said.

  “You can thank her yourself,” she replied, gesturing to the mirror.

  With renewed supplies, the travelers resumed their journey northeast. They remained within the forest, knowing straying beyond its bounds could be fatal. Their destination was Summ, a city five hours away ideal for setting up camp.

  Unity was vital. Caber’s inhabitants were known to target lone travelers. Since childhood, they had been taught to stay together and remain focused. The wizard’s guidance was crucial—she knew Caber’s secrets. Yet beneath their resolve, the travelers were weary and anxious. Some might falter. Some might lose focus. Some might not survive.

  As they journeyed, they reached a shimmering lake. Though Summ was still ahead, Khater saw the exhaustion in his companions.

  “We’ll camp here,” he announced.

  The lake sparkled like a diamond beneath Solaris’s descent, casting hues of orange and violet. Amid the reflections, two large, unadorned circles appeared. Looking up, they realized the lake mirrored a body of water in the frelam above—two icebergs floating in the sky.

  Khater, mesmerized, retrieved the mirror. “Wizard, are you there?”

  The wizard appeared, greeting him warmly and asking for an update. After hearing his report, she warned, “Tomorrow, head north to Summ—the land of temptations. But beware! Its beauty conceals danger. Resist its allure. Stay focused. The natives use it to lead humans astray.”

  Khater nodded. “I’m motivated to save my son. Nothing will distract me.”

  “Keep that motivation alive,” she replied.

  That night, the sky transformed into a tapestry of stars. For a moment, their burdens felt lighter. Yet beneath the celestial wonder, worry lingered—about the journey ahead, and the fate of their children.

  At dawn, they packed their belongings and set off. Following the wizard’s advice, they rode north. Within two hours, they reached Summ.