In a gloomy world, above a huge bonfire burned blue flames.
— O great sun god! Grant us the power of eternal fire.
— Light of truth, we pray for your mercy!
— Bless our family, god of light!
Three figures in red cloaks circled around the fire, chanting without pause.
«These dreams again… And this one feels far too real. It would be fine once or twice, but I've already lost count… When was the last time I even had normal dreams? Each new one is stranger than the last. I must be losing my mind…»
At last, the three in red finished the ritual.
Lein watched as the blue flames slowly turned white, growing brighter and brighter.
«I have to admit… there are worse dreams to watch.»
But suddenly, the fire began to change.
It twisted into the shape of a face—huge and menacing. Just one glance made Lein feel as if blood was about to gush from his nose.
The three cloaked figures lowered their heads sharply and trembled.
— [Be ready. Soon the Eighth World will fall. Our supreme god will rise…]
The voice sounded like a peal of thunder, as if it could not be heard but only felt with every cell of the body. Lein was already about to look away, but suddenly the gaze of the face with flaming eyes slid directly onto him.
— [What is this?..] the flame muttered.
At that very moment, Lein's head was pierced by a thousand needles.
His breath was cut off, each inhale and exhale becoming heavier and heavier.
His heart pounded as if it was about to burst out of his chest.
Heat rushed to his head, and his body was covered in icy sweat.
Lein seemed to burn in cold flames, hotter than real fire.
He, it seemed… died.
Died in a dream.
— A-a-a!..
He sharply inhaled and jerked up on the bed. Sticky sweat ran down his temples, the shirt clung to his back. His chest heaved as if he had run for kilometers.
Lein greedily drew in each breath and didn't want to let them go.
His heart was pounding so loudly and strongly as if ready to jump out of his chest.
— Ha… ha-a… Damn… that dream again…
He clutched his heart tightly.
— That was… too much.
His eyes darted around the room, checking if there was anything strange. But everything was as usual. Everything, except for the frantic feeling that something was still watching him even now.
— Lein! someone called.
— Calm down… It's just another dream… There is no god…
— Brother! the voice came again.
He turned toward the voice.
— …Elisa?
Before him stood a girl with beautiful features, golden hair, and silvery eyes.
«My noisy little sister…»
— Who else were you expecting? she huffed. — You should see yourself. You're drenched in sweat. Did you forget? Today they announce the exam results! Come on, big brother, get up! — she tugged his hand.
— Alright, alright, I'm getting up. I just… had a nightmare.
— Who cares! Now's not the time for dreams! You need to dress nicely and be ready!
Lein smirked and patted her head.
— I'm the one who took the exam. So why are you more nervous than me? And ready for what, exactly? You know I'm always ready.
Elisa gave him a strange look.
— Even for a date? she asked suddenly.
— Of cour… Wait. What? What date?
Elisa proudly lifted her chin and said seriously:
— You're already nineteen and still don't have a girlfriend. So I decided to introduce you to my best friend.
— …Unbelievable. And how old is she?
Elisa shrugged.
— Same age as me. Why?
— Why?! You're only fifteen! — Lein grabbed her cheeks and started pulling them, as if punishing her.
— B-but… age isn't the most important thing… she mumbled indistinctly.
— Yeah. Age is just a number. And prison is just a room for a few years. Now out you go, I'll change and come down.
Elisa shot him an offended look and left, slamming the door.
— Teenage years… yeah. I hope Rain won't go through this. Boys are much more dangerous than girls at that age, he muttered.
Lein stretched, yawning and loosening his muscles. He went to the wardrobe with a mirror and took out a white shirt and black trousers.
— Hm… ties are uncomfortable. And why bother wearing one? I'm just checking the results and coming back.
After dressing, he glanced in the mirror. Black hair, black eyes, sharp features.
— Perfect, as always.
He dabbed a little cologne on his hands and left the room.
The mirror in the wardrobe stayed empty. Empty… but only for a moment.
In the reflection, Lein was still standing there.
Only his eyes were white, and within them danced… white flames.
He smiled.
And vanished from the mirror.
Lein went down the wooden stairs and, reaching the living room, smelled the aroma of freshly cooked food. The kitchen and living room weren't separated by a wall, so he just greeted:
— Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad.
Three people sat at the rectangular table.
At the far end sat his father, Ed, with graying hair and gray eyes. He smiled when he saw his son.
On his lap sat a boy with golden hair and black eyes — Lein's younger brother, Rain, who had turned seven just a few days ago.
To the right sat a sulking Elisa, who turned away from Lein as soon as he entered.
And by the stove stood their mother, Louise, preparing a light breakfast for everyone.
The smell of fried sausage and eggs filled the room.
Louise was still beautiful, even in her forties. Her golden hair shone in the morning light, and her black eyes radiated maternal warmth.
And yet, time spares no one: a few gray strands had already appeared.
Yes. This was Lein's treasure.
Something he was willing to protect with his life.
These faces, these smiles… everyone in this room meant more to him than he did to himself.
«And still… this dream won't leave me alone…» he sighed.
«Fine. I'll have to visit that fortune-teller.»
Lein sat down at the other end of the table, quietly waiting for his breakfast.
«There's nothing else to do today anyway.»