Chapter 1: Prologue
(Current time: November 6, 11:59 PM)
A young man with one shoe and a key-shaped necklace hanging by his neck walked toward the house. He was about normal height for his age. His eyes looked hollow, his face was covered in dirt and blood, his black hair was messy, his clothing was tattered, his head was down, his hands were bloody.
He walked slowly toward the small tomb beneath a tree on the right side of the house.
He dropped to his knees and instantly broke down, tears flowing out of his eyes uncontrollably. He turned, leaned against the tree next to the tomb, and stared up at the stars.
"Hey, Mom... it’s almost my birthday today. I will be turning 15. I thought we would celebrate it together," he mumbled.
(Current time: November 7, 12:00 AM)
"I missed you, Mother. I missed your handmade cakes. I missed watching the stars together. Why did you leave me alone? This world is really cruel. I don’t have anyone to run to," he muttered.
He stared at the stars in the sky silently. Then he started talking to his mother’s grave.
"Do you remember telling me that when someone passes away, they become the stars in the sky?" he paused. "People keep telling me that’s not true, and that once you are gone, you are gone forever. Part of me knows that you just said that to comfort me," he paused again as he broke down once more, "but I like to believe your truth, Mother. At least then I know you are up there watching over me. At least then I don’t always feel so alone, Mother," he muttered as he curled up next to his mother’s grave and fell asleep.
He slept under the moonlight as it shined on him. It looked like the light was embracing him. He smiled as he slept away.
When the sun rose, a group of soldiers approached the boy. They were carrying spears, shields, and swords. They wore dark gray longcoats with silver trim, thin silver metal plates over their chests, combat pants, and black leather boots.