Part 1

Early in the morning, Black Storm stood in front of the bathroom mirror, flexing his arms and admiring his biceps as if he had just discovered them for the first time. Grinning from ear to ear, he rushed into Shadow Light’s room, where his friend was sprawled lazily across the bed.

Black Storm:

“Hey, Shadow Light, I think I’ve figured out my special ability! I might have the most muscular physique in history. Just look at these arms!”

Shadow Light (half asleep):

“Yeah, yeah… maybe you were just born into an athletic family and you’re a natural athlete.”

Black Storm:

“That’s possible too! Wow, an athletic family!”

Shadow Light:

“Then I must’ve been born into a rich family.”

Black Storm:

“Huh? Why do you think that?”

Shadow Light stretched his leg out and shoved his foot right up near Black Storm’s face.

Shadow Light:

“I don’t know, man, but look at my toenails. They’re way too perfect.”

A loud crash echoed through the house as the two started fighting. Down the hall, Sun-Z brushed her hair in annoyance, while Mrs. Kelly smiled quietly in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

Black Storm (yelling):

“Get your filthy foot out of my face, you idiot!”

Shadow Light:

“I bet my feet are a million times cleaner than your face, jerk!”

⸻

Moments later, Shadow Light stomped downstairs, muttering angrily to himself. Suddenly he heard a soft meow from the bottom of the stairs and screamed in the most ridiculous way possible.

Star X burst into laughter—she was the one who had imitated the cat’s voice.

Star X:

“Hehehe… so you really are scared of cats!”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Kelly’s cat slept peacefully beside her as she worked.

Shadow Light:

“You’re such a stupid child!”

Star X:

“You’re the stupid one!”

Just then, a knock echoed through the hallway.

Mrs. Kelly (calling from the kitchen):

“Could you check who that is?”

Star X:

“Okay!”

She went to open the door, with a curious Shadow Light peeking over her shoulder. The moment she opened it, she found herself staring at a strange figure whose hair looked like a swirling black hole.

She slammed the door shut instantly.

Both she and Shadow Light screamed in panic.

Shadow Light:

“What the heck was that?!”

Star X:

“I saw a black hole!”

Shadow Light:

“How can a black hole have human legs?! Open the door again and check!”

Star X (panicking):

“No way! You check yourself!”

Shadow Light:

“Fine… let’s look through the window.”

They peeked through the window beside the door—only to see the same person peering back at them.

They screamed again.

⸻

A little later, Mrs. Kelly handed the visitor some medicine and said goodbye to him while the others gathered around the table.

Mrs. Kelly:

“Daniel is just a shy boy with a… unique hairstyle. He came to pick up the medicine I made for him.”

Sun-Z:

“Mrs. Kelly, are you a doctor?”

Behind them, Black Storm and Shadow Light were whispering angrily.

Black Storm:

“You’re scared of anything with hair, coward.”

Shadow Light:

“I swear I’ll poke your eye out if you don’t shut up!”

Black Storm:

“Try me.”

They started fighting again while Mrs. Kelly continued talking to the girls.

Mrs. Kelly:

“I’m not a real doctor, but I’m good at folk medicine and herbal remedies. My grandchildren live in Aphraheda—they’re far more skilled than I am, and everyone goes to them when they need something truly effective.”

Sun-Z:

“I didn’t know you had grandchildren. That explains all the space in this house.”

Mrs. Kelly:

“Yes… my children and grandchildren moved to the cities. But I couldn’t leave the house my husband built for me after he passed away. All our memories are here.”

Star X and Sun-Z listened with shining eyes.

Sun-Z:

“He must’ve been a wonderful man. The house is beautiful—he must have loved you very much.”

Star X:

“Yeah.”

Mrs. Kelly smiled softly.

Mrs. Kelly:

“How about I show you something special? Are you done eating?”

Star X (excitedly):

“Yes!”

They followed Mrs. Kelly through the back door that opened onto the balcony, and the moment Star X and Sun-Z stepped outside, their eyes widened in disbelief at the endless green lawns stretching before them.

Sun-Z: “Hey—where did the village go?”

Mrs. Kelly said gently, “It’s on the other side.”

The girls rushed to the edge of the balcony and looked behind the house. There it was—the village, exactly where it had always been.

Sun-Z: “But how? We came through this door! How are we suddenly at the back of the house?”

Mrs. Kelly smiled, lost in an old memory.

“When my husband finished building this house, he took my hand and said, I built you a revolving home that moves with sunrise and sunset, so you’ll never miss the view from your balcony when you become a beautiful old lady.”

Star X and Sun-Z gazed at her with sparkling eyes.

Sun-Z: “What a romantic gentleman.”

Star X: “He was wonderful.”

Mrs. Kelly, softly: “Yes… he was.”

⸻

When she returned inside, she found Black Storm and Shadowlight still sitting at the table, glaring at each other like rival beasts.

Those two do nothing but stare at each other, she thought, then said aloud,

“Excuse me, boys… could I ask you a favor?”

Black Storm: “Of course, Mrs. Kelly. Anything.”

⸻

Not long after, the two were struggling up a rocky slope, each carrying a huge bucket of water, their breathing heavy.

Shadowlight: “I don’t understand why we’re bringing water from a river this far away.”

Black Storm: “Because it’s drinkable, you idiot.”

Shadowlight: “Shut up! If she wants clean water, why not use the well next to her house?”

Black Storm: “I saw it—it’s dried up. That’s why she wants to refill it.”

Shadowlight: “We’ll never fill that well. That woman is crazy!”

Black Storm, smirking: “What’s wrong? Too hard for you?”

Furious, Shadowlight stuck out his foot. Black Storm tripped and crashed face-first into the ground, water spilling everywhere.

Black Storm: “What the hell was that for?!”

Shadowlight, walking past: “Watch your step, genius.”

But Black Storm grabbed his ankle and yanked, sending Shadowlight crashing down just as hard.

Shadowlight: “You jerk!”

They refilled the buckets in silence, both seething.

Shadowlight: “Where are Sun-Z and Star X?”

Black Storm: “In the village. They’re probably looking for anything that might help us find Mr. White.”

Shadowlight, scoffing: “Mr. White? Maybe we should search space too, since we’re aliens who fell from the sky.”

They froze at the same time.

Both together: “Wait…!”

⸻

Meanwhile, at Leader Mountain…

The Leader stared in awe at the shattered wall before him.

Leader: “Incredible. How did you do this?”

Gunner: “As I said, my lord—advanced technology and specialized equipment.”

Leader: “With weapons like these, I can extend my control to entire cities. How long will it take to make more?”

Gunner: “Not long. I’ve already prepared ten more. They’re ready now. Why not test them on the Wise Village—the same place your followers failed?”

The Leader slowly turned to Commander Gazley.

Leader: “Well, Commander… I’ll give you one last chance.”

Commander Gazley: “…!”

Leader: “Take your battalion and these new weapons back to that insignificant village. This time, bring me something useful.”

Commander Gazley: “Yes, sir.”

Leader: “Dismissed.”

On the other side of the village, Star X and Sun-Z wandered through the market wearing the new clothes Mrs. Kelly had kindly lent them.

Sun-Z smiled as she spun in her dress.

“Mrs. Kelly is so sweet. I still can’t believe she gave us these.”

Star X grinned. “I feel like we’re undercover on a secret mission.”

Sun-Z: “We are on a secret mission. We have to find any clue about Mr. White.”

They began questioning everyone in the marketplace, but the answers were always the same—vague and unsettling.

Woman: “Oh yes, Mr. White. I know him… but what does he look like? Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever met him.”

Man: “Mr. White? Of course I know him… but I have no idea where he lives.”

Shopkeeper: “I’ve heard the name, sure—but I’ve never seen him.”

The girls exchanged frustrated glances.

Star X: “What the heck? Everyone knows him, but nobody has met him!”

Sun-Z: “It’s like they only remember the name. Nothing else.”

Star X, whispering: “Just like us…”

⸻

Not far away, Mr. White was moving through the same market, staring at his watch and murmuring to himself.

This detector won’t pick them up clearly unless they use their abilities…

His thoughts drifted back to the night before at the lake.

The signals were coming from there. The villagers said the kids had already awakened their powers… impossible timing, unless fear or danger forced it.

Suddenly, Star X slammed into him while running and looking back at Sun-Z.

Star X, bowing quickly: “I’m so sorry, sir! I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Mr. White: “It’s alright. I wasn’t paying attention either.”

Sun-Z rushed to her side.

Sun-Z: “Are you okay?”

They hurried away, laughing.

Star X: “Don’t laugh at me!”

Mr. White took a few steps—then froze.

They’re the same age…

His eyes widened.

Star X… Sun-Z!

He spun around and ran back, but the girls were gone—as if they had vanished into thin air.

How could I be so blind? Of course they’d change clothes to blend in… Where did they disappear to?

⸻

At the top of a grassy hill, Black Storm and Shadowlight searched desperately through tall weeds.

Shadowlight: “Are you sure this is the spot? We’ve been looking for an hour!”

Black Storm: “Yes! This is exactly the view from when we arrived—the forest ahead, the village behind us. Look at the flattened grass from the landing.”

Shadowlight: “Then who moved our vehicles?”

Black Storm: “They weren’t dragged—they were carried. There are no trails.”

Shadowlight: “That’s impossible. It’s too steep.”

Black Storm, grimly: “Then whoever took them had advanced equipment.”

Shadowlight: “You mean… people like us?”

Black Storm nodded.

Shadowlight kicked the grass in frustration.

“Damn it… why does everything have to be so complicated?”

Suddenly, Black Storm stiffened.

In the distance, armed figures were advancing toward them.

His blood ran cold.

Black Storm, whispering: “Shadowlight… it’s Gazley’s battalion.”