The Lukas Family.
A family unlike any other.
They ruled over the Lukas Village in the Keyos Kingdom, yet their rule was never one of tyranny, pride, or cruel authority. Instead, it was harmony. The people of the village lived in peace, sheltered by the love and devotion of their lords. Unlike other noble families—who tore themselves apart with ambition, scheming, and hunger for power—the Lukas Family cherished one another. Every member, regardless of age or standing, treated each other as equals.
In their household, power was nothing more than a name. What mattered was love, unity, and peace. And for years, that peace had defined both the family and the village they protected.
Until the day of the Grand Festival.
The heavy oak door groaned open, spilling golden afternoon sunlight into the chamber. The warm beams stretched across piles of parchment and an elegant mahogany desk.
Baron Lukas Darius, the head of the family, sat in quiet concentration, the scratching of his quill the only sound in the room. At just thirty-four, his bearing radiated strength and dignity. The deep navy velvet doublet fit snugly on his frame, silver embroidery of the Lukas crest glittering faintly in the light. With his sharp features and well-kept hair, anyone who saw him would swear he was still in his mid-twenties. Handsome, refined, noble—he carried himself like a man born to lead.
The chamber smelled faintly of ink and cedarwood incense burning from a corner table, while stacks of letters waited for his signature. Duty never left the baron, not even on the day of celebration.
The door creaked again.
"My lord, it's time for you to go."
The man who entered wore a crisp black suit, posture straight, tone respectful.
Darius lifted his gaze, lips curving faintly. "Oh… Brother Edric. How many times have I told you not to call me that? We are brothers."
Edric smiled, his voice steady but playful. "And yet, this is your chamber. I am but a butler. And besides… I enjoy calling you 'my lord.'"
Darius sighed, setting the quill down. "It's no use arguing with you."
"That's right," Edric chuckled. "But enough paperwork. The family is waiting. It's time to join them, my lord."
"Argh! Again with 'my lord'! Can't you just stop calling me that?" Darius shot back, irritated.
Edric smirked innocently. "Hehe… I'll try."
The two brothers left the chamber together.
At the entrance of the Lukas manor, three figures approached. Two children rushed ahead, their fine clothes fluttering as they ran.
"Father!"
"Uncle!"
The first was Lukas Jun, just fourteen years old. By his side was his nine-year-old sister, Lukas Jina. Both of them beamed with uncontainable joy.
Darius and Edric dropped to one knee, arms spread wide to catch them.
"Oh, look who we have here," Darius said warmly.
"Our two little treasures," Edric added with a grin.
"You two are late," a gentle but sharp voice scolded.
The children's mother, Lukas Isolde, approached in a flowing dress of deep blue silk, her attire matching her husband's. Her beauty radiated elegance, yet her frown betrayed her annoyance. "These two were desperate to go to the festival. At the very least, you should have come early today."
Darius cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ahem… there were some papers I had to finish, so—"
Edric interjected quickly, "It's not my fault, Isolde! I told him to come early, but he didn't listen."
Darius shot Edric a furious glare. You traitor.
"Whatever," Isolde muttered, turning her head away.
The whole family soon gathered, laughter and teasing flowing naturally. The bond between them was so radiant that anyone who witnessed it would envy their happiness.
Four carriages waited outside. The Lukas family climbed aboard, their excitement carrying them toward the Grand Festival.
The festival was alive with color and sound.
The village square was packed with nobles and commoners alike. Laughter rang through the air, music from a lively parade echoed, and banners of crimson and gold fluttered in the breeze. Stalls brimmed with food, merchants shouted about their wares, and competitions were underway—archery, swordsmanship, even magical trials for young warriors.
It was a day of unity, of joy, of peace.
Then, the Lukas carriages arrived.
"Look—it's the Lukas family!"
"The lord has come!"
"Quick, come greet them!"
The crowd surged forward, bowing, waving, and cheering.
Jun and Jina stepped out of the carriage to a chorus of voices.
"There are the young lord and lady!"
"Lord Jun! Lady Jina! Would you like something to eat?"
The family mingled with the people, sharing in their happiness. For a time, it felt like nothing could shatter the harmony of that day.
Until it happened.
The air grew heavy.
Whoooosh—!
A sudden wind ripped through the festival grounds. The cheerful music stuttered to a stop as everyone turned toward the center of the square.
There—glowing, humming, twisting in the air—was a massive, floating oval of light. Blue, radiant, unstable.
A gate.
The first in the history of the world.
Gasps filled the silence.
"What… what is that?"
"Some kind of magic?"
The gate pulsed. Then, with a low rumble, creatures stepped through.
Orcs.
Massive, towering over any human, their green-gray skin stretched across bulging muscle. Jagged tusks jutted from their mouths, and crude weapons dripped with malice. Their eyes gleamed red with bloodlust.
The crowd barely had time to scream before the slaughter began.
SLASH!
CRUNCH!
SCREEEAAAM!
The orcs swung their axes and clubs without mercy. Bones cracked, flesh tore, blood sprayed. Men, women, children—none were spared. The festival descended into chaos, joyous laughter replaced by horrifying screams.
The Lukas family moved instantly.
"Protect the villagers!" Darius roared.
Half of the family rushed to evacuate the commoners, while the others drew weapons, meeting the monsters head-on.
CLASH!
Steel rang against crude iron.
THUD!
Orcs fell, their blood mixing with that of the villagers. But more poured from the gate, endless, unstoppable.
Amid the chaos, Jun and Jina stood frozen. Their eyes wide, their hearts pounding, as they watched their father, mother, uncle, and kin fight desperately for their lives.
"Edric!" Darius's voice cut through the din. His doublet was soaked in blood, his blade dripping crimson as he fought like a demon. "It's no use fighting them here. We need to enter that blue thing!"
Edric's face twisted. "But, my lor—" He stopped when he saw Darius's expression. Cold, resolute.
"Okay… my lord."
"No!" Isolde's scream rang out. "You can't! We don't know what that thing is! How can you be so reckless?"
Darius turned to her, forcing a smile despite the blood staining his face. "There's no other way, Isolde. Stay here. Protect the children. We will meet again… I promise."
Her lips trembled, but she said nothing. She could not stop him. She could only watch as Darius, Edric, and the other family members charged into the gate, vanishing into its glowing light.
And then—
SHHHK!
A blade pierced through Isolde's chest.
Her eyes widened, breath hitching as warm blood spilled down her dress.
"Mother!"
"Mother!"
The children screamed.
Behind her stood a man dressed in black. His grin was twisted, his eyes wild as he held the bloodied sword buried in her chest.
"Hehehe… at last! At last!" His laughter echoed with madness. "You filthy Lukas swine… how dare you look down on my family? Ahhh, this feels good. I didn't think I'd get the chance so easily! Hahahahaha!"
Jun and Jina ran toward their mother. "Mother! Mother!"
The man's gaze shifted to them, grin widening. "Oh… look at this. The little rats."
He yanked his sword free with a sickening shlunk. Blood poured from Isolde's wound.
"Now… it's your turn, little ones," he sneered. His smile was sharp, cruel, inhuman.
But then—
"Hey," Isolde's voice came, cold as steel. "You should've aimed for my head."
The man froze. Slowly, he turned.
Her eyes glowed faintly as she raised her blade.
SWOOSH!
One clean strike.
His head flew, rolling across the blood-soaked ground.
Isolde's strength faded. Her knees buckled as she collapsed, vision clouding with darkness.
"Mother!" The children screamed, running to her.
As her body fell, her thoughts spiraled.
So, this is how I die…If the others don't come back… what will happen to my children?
They've never known this cold world… can they survive without us?
I don't want to left my children alone in this cruel world.
Is there really a god?
Can't he see?
Can't he see this?
What did my family do wrong?
No..
I believe there is.
So please...
If you really exist..
Please my children to survive in this hellish world.
I beg you.
Please help them.
Her eyes dimmed.
And in that moment, Jun and Jina's world shattered.
In a single blink—
They lost everything.