Eight years ago, in the Kingdom of Ruby, there was a civilized, beautiful, and well-organized city where people lived in comfort and safety. Ken lived there with his family. He was 8 years old at the time, standing alongside his two siblings. His older brother, Dan, was 11 years old, with dark red, tousled hair and gray eyes, just like Ken. Their younger sister, Emily, was 6 years old and looked different from her brothers, with light brown, medium-length hair and crimson red eyes like blood.

The three stood in the living room as Dan spoke enthusiastically:

Dan: “Hey, Ken, how about a match between us to see who wins?”

Ken (jumping with excitement): “Sure! This time, I’ll beat you—I’m strong!”

Before Ken could finish his sentence, Dan punched him hard in the stomach, causing him to fall to the ground. Dan smiled triumphantly and stood with his arms crossed, while Ken began crying from the pain of the blow. Emily intervened, shouting:

Emily: “Stop it! An older brother shouldn’t hit his little brother! I’m going to tell Dad!”

Ken stood up angrily, tears streaming down his face, and yelled:

Ken: “I hate you, Dan!”

Dan (mockingly): “You’re such a crybaby, hahaha!”

Seconds later, their father arrived with Emily beside him. He resembled Dan, with dark red, tousled hair and bright gray eyes. His face bore an expression of anger. His name was Akako.

Akako (in a loud voice): “That’s enough, Dan! How many times have I told you not to hurt your younger siblings? You’re the eldest; you should be responsible for them! Don’t forget your mother is pregnant and will give birth to twins soon. You need to be more responsible, my boy! Now, apologize to your brother.”

Dan (awkwardly, avoiding Ken’s gaze): “Uh… I’m sorry.”

Akako: “Look at your brother’s face and shake hands with him!”

Dan slowly approached Ken and extended his hand. Ken wiped away his tears and shook it. Moments later, their mother entered the room. She looked exactly like Emily, with brown hair tied in a ponytail. Her stomach was noticeably large as she was six months pregnant with twins. Her name was Masha.

Masha: “What’s all the commotion? Is everything okay?”

Akako: “The kids were fighting, but I made them make up. Everything’s fine now.”

Ken ran to his mother and hugged her lovingly, his tear-streaked face still evident. She hugged him back.

Ken: “Mom, I’m so excited to meet our new siblings!”

Masha: “Me too! Only three months left until they arrive. You should think of good names for a boy and a girl!”

It seemed Ken and Dan had already forgotten their earlier fight. They sat together in the living room and started watching TV. Akako, Masha, and Emily joined them. The television displayed a breaking news broadcast, and the family fell silent, listening intently.

News Anchor: “Welcome to the Ruby Kingdom News. Unfortunately, today’s news will not be easy for anyone. We’ve received reports from official sources that the Cirrus Army has begun breaching the edges of the capital with their tanks. Fighter jets have been spotted flying near the border. Are we on the brink of a new war?”

Worry and tension began to show on the faces of Ken and his family.

Ken: “Does that mean we’re at war now, Dad?”

Akako (uneasily): “I hope it doesn’t come to that…”

Dan: “But why?! What does the Cirrus Army want from us?!”

Masha: “They want to conquer the country and annex it to their kingdom, the Kingdom of Kaji.”

Emily: “The name ‘Kaji Kingdom’ sounds like our family name, Yukaji.”

Dan: “Emily, didn’t Dad tell you yet that he came from the Kaji Kingdom? We’re not originally from Ruby Kingdom; we just live here.”

Emily (in shock): “What?!”

Ken (angrily): “Who is this King Cirrus, and why does he want to conquer us? I’ll never forgive him! I’m sure our army will defeat him!”

Akako and Masha left the living room and headed to the bedroom. Akako appeared visibly distressed and saddened.

Akako: “I can’t believe this… After all the destruction we endured in 2003, that scoundrel is coming back to conquer us again?! And he’s not just any scoundrel… Cirrus is my own brother! And I’m still branded as the runaway prince!”

Masha: “The problem is that his power is beyond imagination. With one strike, he can wipe out an entire residential area!”

Akako: “Masha, our children are living happily, thinking they’re just ordinary kids. They don’t know they come from royal lineage! And that their uncle is the one who will destroy everything! He truly embodies evil!”

Masha began to cry and said:

Masha: “Akako… we’re targets now because of you! Cirrus wants to get rid of all of us! But what if some of us survive while others die? How would we live with that? I can’t bear the thought of losing you or any of our children, Akako!”

She threw herself into Akako’s arms, crying uncontrollably. Akako, equally scared and saddened, held her tightly.

Akako: “Don’t worry, my love. Everything will be fine.”

A few days later…

The scene shifts to the playroom, where the three children were playing together. Their mother entered the room.

Masha (in a somber tone): “Listen carefully, my little ones. It’s been announced that fighter jets have entered the heart of the capital and will begin bombing everything. Tanks are advancing as well. The war has started! You must always stay together in one room. We will live or die together. We’ll never leave the house unless we’re all together.”

Ken: “But what about Dad? Won’t he go to work?”

Masha: “Your father’s situation is different. His work is important and cannot be missed.”

Emily started crying and said:

Emily: “Are we going to die, Mom?!”

Masha: “We won’t die as long as we follow instructions and get to the shelters quickly. Don’t worry, my dear…”

The next day…

Masha sat in the living room near the TV when Ken entered.

Ken: “Mom, please let me go to Yuko’s house. I want to play with her.”

Masha (sharply): “I can’t let you go. There are missiles outside, and the army might kidnap you!”

Ken: “But Mom, we’ll have to go outside eventually! Schools are starting in two weeks! Won’t you let us go?”

Masha (frustrated): “I don’t know…”

Suddenly, while Ken was talking to his mother, a loud, terrifying sound of war sirens filled the air. The sound was horrifying, especially for the children. Ken, scared, clung to his mother.

Ken (fearfully): “Mom, what’s that sound?!”

Masha: “It’s the war siren—danger is coming!”

At that moment, fighter jets began bombing near Ken’s house. The sound of explosions and destruction was deafening. Ken cried in fear as he clung to his mother, shutting his eyes tightly to avoid seeing the chaos. In her room, Emily hid under her bed, crying and screaming, covering her ears. Dan, in his room, also placed his hands over his ears, trembling in fear.

The scene shifts to another house, where Yuko, an eight-year-old girl with short black hair, stood in the living room. Beside her was her slightly older brother with black hair and brown eyes.

Yuko (panicking): “Brother! What’s happening?!”

Brother: “Don’t worry, Yuko. We’ll be fine…”

The scene shifts back to the living room of Ken’s house, where he clung tightly to his mother.

Ken: “Mom, there are people dying right now! We might die next!”

Masha started crying and hugged Ken tightly. The next day, Akako returned home after finishing work, his face heavy with sorrow. The children and Masha were sitting in the living room.

Akako: “Our neighbor, Kamo, and his entire family died yesterday after their house was bombed…”

Masha (shocked): “W-What are you saying?!”

Ken: “But what about Yuko?! Is Yuko okay?!”

Akako: “We haven’t heard anything about Yuko’s family. I think they’re fine.”

Ken: “I’m going to check on her!”

Ken dashed out of the house, leaving his family stunned.

Masha (to Akako): “Why didn’t you stop him?!”

Akako: “Let him go. She’s his friend, and he needs to make sure she’s okay. Her house is right next to ours, as you know. Meanwhile, I’ll head to the store to stock up on supplies so we don’t need to go out again soon.”

When Ken stepped outside, he was horrified by the scene before him. Half the houses in the neighborhood were destroyed, and rubble was everywhere. However, relief washed over him when he saw Yuko’s house still standing. He ran over and found Yuko playing in her front yard.

Ken: “Yuko! You’re okay?!”

Yuko: “Yes, I am! I’m so glad to see you alive, Ken!”

Ken: “Yuko, promise me you won’t die. I don’t have any other friends but you!”

Yuko (cheerfully and innocently): “I’ll never die! We’re going to grow up, live happily, and get married, Ken!”

Ken laughed, his cheeks turning red.

Ken: “Hahaha, what are you talking about, Yuko? Are you joking?!”

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of the alarm blaring again. The loud siren startled them, and Yuko grabbed Ken’s hand, pulling him along as she started running.

Yuko: “Come on, Ken! We have to get to the school—it’s the shelter!”

Ken: “But what about my family?!”

Yuko: “They’ll follow us. Don’t worry!”

The two children ran as fighter jets began bombing the area around them. Fear and anxiety were evident on their faces.

The scene shifts back to Ken’s house, where Akako suddenly shouted in panic:

Akako: “Ken! Ken’s not in the house!!”

(To be continued…)