In the east lies Sichibukuten, a land that values honor and order. Yet, beneath the surface, its leaders fear the awakening of an ancient power that shattered the continent millennia ago.
Yorkwes, a border town in Sichibukuten, is surrounded by several small villages. One of them is Ao' Village, home to a sixteen-year-old boy named Lixs.
Lixs lives with his older sister, Claude. Their days are simple: farming and selling their crops just to get by.
Their father died when Lixs was six. Since then, the kind-hearted Claude has raised him. Now, Lixs is searching for their mother, who disappeared without a trace.
But Lixs doesn't know this: Claude secretly serves in a small army fighting a war threatening their homeland.
"Ugh… so boring," Lixs mumbled, staring at the vast rice paddies.
The routine was monotonous. He looked left and right, hoping for something interesting. Nothing.
"I can't keep doing this. Maybe I'll leave the village for a bit—clear my head," he said, getting to his feet.
After returning home, he packed a small bag. He locked the shed, closed the windows, and secured the house. He set off towards the village edge, carrying only essential supplies.
Then a soft voice called from behind.
"Lixs! Where are you going? With all that gear…" a girl with black hair and mesmerizing violet eyes asked.
Zaresha, his friend, had a captivating presence. But beneath her cheerful and strong exterior, she carried a haunting past.
Lixs turned and sighed. "Oh, Zaresha… I'm just going out for a bit. Want to come?"
Damn… why did I invite her… he thought.
Zaresha smiled and nodded. "If you don't mind, I'd love to! Just a moment!"
"Fine…" Lixs muttered.
Ten minutes passed. Zaresha still hadn't appeared. Lixs grew anxious and went to find her. But as he stood, a shocking sight met his eyes.
"What!? Zaresha!? Why are you with those creatures?!"
In the distance, strange monsters hovered behind her. They were bizarrely shaped, each with ten wings. Seeing Lixs's shocked reaction, she smiled.
"Nice face, Lixs. Surprised?" Zaresha teased with a sly smile.
Lixs held his breath. "Not really. But… we need to get out of here!"
They left Ao' Village, beginning a journey with no clear destination. Midway, Lixs was startled by someone running in terror.
"What's that?" Lixs murmured curiously, approaching.
But…
"Damn it! I was careless!" he yelled.
Dusss!
Out of nowhere, tree roots burst from the ground, wrapping around Lixs and hoisting him into the air.
"What the…?!" Lixs broke into a cold sweat. "Where's that person who ran? Could it be… a trap… Damn it!"
Zaresha, noticing Lixs's strange behavior, ran frantically to find him. She found him hanging limply, strangled by the roots.
"Zyxion, get out now!!" Zaresha shouted.
The roots were ripped apart by a mysterious force. Lixs fell, nearly hitting the ground, but Zaresha caught him at the last second.
"Lixs! Can you hear me? Are you alright!?" she asked anxiously.
Lixs's eyes slowly opened. His body was still weak.
"Zaresha… thanks for saving me…"
He looked around. "But… that man… where did he go?"
Zaresha was confused. "Man? Lixs… I didn't see anyone else."
Lixs frowned. "I figured… this isn't normal…"
He bowed his head, hugging his knees, trying to compose himself.
They started walking back towards Ao' Village. Lixs intended to tell the village chief about the strange events.
The scent of wet leaves filled the air, roots sprouted from the ground, and a cold wind gently brushed against them.
Lixs stood, looking around anxiously. "I really saw someone… that man. Are you sure you didn't see him, Zaresha?" he asked, his voice laced with anxiety.
A moment of silence. Zaresha looked at him with a puzzled expression—Lixs looked like he'd just woken from a strange dream.
She stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Man, again? I told you, Lixs. There's no one else here."
Lixs frowned, staring at the ground. His face showed confusion and worry. Something's wrong here, he thought.
Zaresha patted his shoulder gently, trying to change the subject. "Come on, let's go home. This place is creepy."
Lixs finally nodded. He walked slowly, enduring the pain in his sprained right leg.
Seeing his struggle, Zaresha became worried. "Wait, let me help."
"Zyxion," she whispered.
A purple shadow appeared, swirling in the air before forming a strange flying creature.
Blesssshhh-
They gently floated upwards, carried by Zyxion's power.
"Hm… so you can control it now," Lixs murmured in amazement.
Zaresha simply smiled. "Just a warm-up."
Their return journey was uneventful. Soon, the border of Ao' Village came into view.
As they landed, Lixs saw a familiar figure—Claude, standing nearby.
Lixs turned to Zaresha. "Let's land here."
Zaresha frowned, curious, but didn't press.
Twilight settled over the sky, birds returned to their nests, and the wind picked up.
On the other side, a woman with blue eyes and long black hair seemed to sense their arrival.
"We're back, Sis!" Lixs shouted.
Claude took a slow step, then stopped. "You're with Zaresha today. Usually you—"
"Hey, enough! Sis, let's go home. It's getting late, we need to eat and rest. Let's not linger here!" Lixs cut her off sharply, his voice almost a command.
Zaresha raised an eyebrow, confused by Lixs's sudden urgency.
"Then, I'll go home too. See you, Lixs," she said with a small smile.
Lixs breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Sis hasn't told her about that… If Zaresha finds out, I'm doomed.
"Sis, please be careful what you say. If she finds out, I'm finished. You know Zaresha when she's angry," Lixs whispered.
Claude smiled mischievously. "Let her find out. I'll tell her eventually."
Lixs clicked his tongue in annoyance, then left Claude.
Claude chuckled softly. "Always the same… But that's exactly what makes you so interesting, Lixs."
She walked home.
Meanwhile, Lixs was still annoyed. If she really tells Zaresha, it's over…
But his steps halted. In front of his house sat a short-haired woman, pretty and looking like a sixteen-year-old girl. She stared straight ahead, seemingly waiting for him.
Lixs narrowed his eyes, suspicious. He took a step forward—and suddenly, the woman was right in front of him.
The woman was standing before him.
Lixs was startled. "You… who are you? Why are you at my house?"