Chapter 1
The year was 1990. It was August, a month of golden summer heat where the cool morning breeze felt like a precious gift of freshness. It was a Sunday, the kind of day meant for rest, but for the Kosun household, it was a day of change. A new family was shifting into the house next door.
Rayhon, an eleven-year-old boy, lived alone with his father, Welon Kosun. Welon was a high-ranking Army officer, a man of iron discipline but with a heart of gold for his son. He loved Rayhon fiercely, shielding him from every sorrow. Rayhon's mother had passed away two years prior in a horrific fire at the plaza where she worked. Rumors whispered that the fire was the work of spies from the rival nation, Aindun, as the plaza manufactured military equipment. The explosion of stored gunpowder had erased the building from the map. Since then, the tension between their country, Corlow, and Aindun had been a ticking time bomb, ready to explode into war at any second.
At nine, Rayhon had received the news of his mother's death with a haunting silence. He didn't scream; he just retreated into himself. At school, he was a ghost, rarely speaking. His father tried everything to bring back his smile, but it wasn't until he turned eleven that a ray of light finally pierced his darkness.
The noise of the moving trucks next door woke Rayhon that Sunday morning. Irritated, he pulled back the curtains and realized what was happening. Strange, he thought, sitting back on his bed. That house has been vacant for five years. Who are these people?
He washed up and headed down to the breakfast table. His father was cooking, but the television in the lounge was broadcasting grim news.
"...Heavy shelling was reported at the border last night. Intelligence has discovered an underground pathway used by enemy spies to infiltrate our borders. While the tunnel has been sealed, it is unknown how many spies have already crossed over. Every citizen is urged to remain vigilant. Families must keep their children close and avoid contact with strangers. Cooperation is vital to flush out these intruders..."
Fear gripped Rayhon's heart. "Dad, what's going to happen? This sounds terrible."
Welon brought the food to the table and sat down with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, son. I am here. I will never let anything happen to you. Now, just smile and eat. Forget about the news."
Rayhon felt a sense of peace wash over him. As he finished his meal, curiosity took over. "Dad, do you know who moved in next door?"
Welon chuckled. "A family from another city. They have a daughter about your age. I have a feeling the two of you will get along quite well."
Rayhon's face turned bright red. "Dad, you know I don't talk to people! There's no way I'm making friends with a girl. I'm only eleven!"
Welon laughed heartily. "Love doesn't look at age, my boy."
Rayhon ignored him and retreated to his room. He sat on his bed for a while before curiosity got the better of him. He peeked through the window and saw a girl with beautiful maroon-tinted hair stepping into the courtyard. She stretched, looking at the sky.
"Wow, what a beautiful, warm day!" she exclaimed.
Suddenly, her eyes met Rayhon's. Caught staring, Rayhon froze. The girl didn't look away; instead, she gave him a radiant smile and waved. "Hey! How are you?"
Rayhon's face felt like it was on fire. He slammed the window shut and dived onto his bed, his heart hammering against his chest. So that's her. She's... strange. I don't care about her.
Outside, the girl smiled to herself. "So shy..."
Inside the house, her mother called out, "Einsa! Come here for a moment."
"Coming, Mom!" Einsa replied.
Rayhon, pressed against the closed window, whispered her name. "So, her name is Einsa. Whatever. It doesn't matter to me."
The next morning, as Rayhon headed to school, his father gave him a final warning. "Son, remember everything I told you. Stay alert. Once you're back, lock the door and don't open it for anyone until I return."
"I understand, Dad," Rayhon replied before stepping out.
As he passed the neighbor's gate, a voice called out, "Wait for me!"
Rayhon's feet stopped against his will. Einsa ran up to him, breathless and smiling. "We're going to the same school now. And look at our badges—we're in the same class! That means we're going together every day."
Rayhon's head spun. He struggled to find words. "That's... that's good," he managed to mutter, walking away quickly.
Einsa laughed and gave him a playful shove on the shoulder. "Stop being so shy! You're acting more like a girl than I am!"
Rayhon found a spark of courage and looked at her. "I'm not shy. I'm just late for school!"
"Sure you are," she giggled. "By the way, I'm Einsa. What's your name?"
"I... I'm Rayhon."
"What a great name! It's settled then. From today, we're a team."
Einsa's arrival changed everything. For three years, she was the anchor that kept Rayhon grounded. They became so close that by the age of sixteen, Rayhon realized his feelings had deepened into love. He confessed his heart to her, and Einsa, with a smile that could light up the world, took his hand.
But it was the silence before the storm.
Late one night, while Rayhon was studying, the sounds of chaos erupted outside. People were screaming in the streets. "The enemy has attacked! They've crossed the border!"
Rayhon rushed downstairs and tried to call his father, but the lines were dead. "Einsa... I have to find her! I have to save her!"
Just as he reached for the door, it burst open. His father stumbled in, eyes wide with terror. "Run, Rayhon! There are monsters in human skin everywhere!"
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out.
Rayhon watched in frozen horror as his father collapsed. Death was instantaneous. Rayhon fell to his knees, his mind fracturing. "No... Dad! You can't leave me like this!"
A shadow moved into the room. A man holding a cold, black pistol stepped into the light. "Welon Kosun... finally, you're dead. You've been a thorn in our side for far too long."
Rayhon recognized the voice. He looked up, and his heart stopped. The shock was more painful than the fear. "No... it can't be. Not you. I never expected this from you..."
The man laughed, a hollow, chilling sound. "No one truly knows what a man is capable of, Rayhon. Your people were just too foolish to catch me."
He pressed the cold barrel of the gun against Rayhon's temple. "Now, it's your turn. Prepare to join your father."
Rayhon's heart raced. Am I going to die without even taking revenge? How do I stop him? What do I do?