Dawn Above the Forest

The world did not wake loudly.

Mist covered the endless forest like a sleeping veil, and the first light of dawn slowly climbed over the horizon. Golden sunlight spilled across treetops, touching leaves that still carried the chill of night.

Birds rose into the air in waves.

The world does not change loudly.

A calm voice seemed to travel with the wind itself.

It changes when no one is watching.

Clouds drifted slowly as the morning deepened. The forest stretched endlessly below, tall trees standing silent and ancient.

Sunlight pierced the canopy like scattered blades of gold.

A deer lifted its head.

Leaves trembled.

Something unseen moved through the forest.

“In places forgotten by kings…

and ignored by history…”

The trees parted slightly.

And there it stood.

A house.

Simple. Wooden. Old.

Blending into the forest as if it had always been there.

No banners.

No guards.

No glory.

Just… present.

“…seeds are planted.”

Thin smoke rose from its chimney. Two shadowed figures briefly appeared near the entrance before disappearing inside.

The forest returned to calm.

“Some will grow into warriors.”

“Some into monsters.”

“And some…”

Darkness.

“…will change the fate of the throne.”

Inside the House of Evolution

Morning light slipped into a vast wooden hall.

The ceiling was high, supported by thick beams carved with faded symbols that time had almost erased. Dust floated slowly in the amber light.

Rows of simple wooden beds filled the hall.

Some neat.

Some messy.

Some empty.

Around them moved children.

A boy tightened cloth wraps around his wrists.

A girl sharpened a wooden blade against stone.

Two children argued quietly in a corner.

Another stared at his reflection in a metal bowl.

No laughter.

No fear.

Only preparation.

The camera moved past them slowly.

Lingering on their eyes.

Green.

Every one of them.

Different shades.

Except—

Vihaan.

He lay asleep near the side of the hall.

Blanket half-fallen.

Hair messy.

Face calm.

Sunlight reached him last.

Softer than the others.

Dust settled on his shoulder.

Among children who looked ready…

He didn’t.

A child nearby glanced at him.

Then looked away.

Vihaan’s eyes snapped open.

He sat up suddenly, breathing hard. Sweat clung to his skin. His hands trembled slightly.

The sounds of the hall felt distant.

Like the world hadn’t fully returned.

A tear escaped his eye.

He wiped it away quickly.

“Again… that dream.”

Then—

“Oh—hello, mister.”

Vihaan froze.

Slowly turning his head.

Two children stood beside his bed.

A boy and a girl.

Curious.

Not threatening.

Not friendly either.

Just watching.

“…Who are you?” Vihaan asked.

The boy smirked.

“Relax. You’re not dreaming this time.”

The girl stepped closer.

“You were shouting in your sleep.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

Silence.

For the first time since arriving—

Vihaan wasn’t alone.

But he still didn’t feel safe.

The girl spoke first.

“I’m Liorin Vale.”

She gestured toward the boy.

“Eryx Ku-Ro.”

They looked at him.

Waiting.

“I’m Vihaan… Vihaan Zayne.”

Eryx studied him.

“You’re new here, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. I arrived yesterday.”

Liorin’s expression softened slightly.

“Don’t worry. This place looks haunted… but it isn’t as bad as it feels.”

“We got here two days ago,” Eryx added.

Liorin glanced at him.

“He wasn’t asking you.”

“I don’t wait for people to ask.”

Vihaan raised his hands.

“Thanks… that still helps.”

Liorin smiled faintly.

Eryx smirked.

Three children.

Same place.

Different futures.

Kael Appears

Footsteps echoed from above.

Slow.

Heavy.

Measured.

The hall fell silent.

Children looked up.

A wooden balcony ran along the upper level.

From the shadows—

A figure stepped forward.

Kael.

Wide-brimmed hat tilted low.

Dark spectacles hiding his eyes.

A long cloak brushing the railing.

Sunlight turned him into a silhouette.

“Good morning.”

“And welcome… to the House of Evolution.”

The room stiffened.

Kael removed his hat slightly.

“You’ve all come here for different reasons.”

He began descending the stairs.

“But from today—”

He reached the hall floor.

“Your reasons don’t matter.”

For a moment—

His gaze settled on Vihaan.

Then moved on.

The Numbers

“You will be given a number,” Kael said.

Murmurs spread.

“A number that is unique.”

“That number will be your name.”

“Your identity… here.”

Clap.

The sound echoed through the hall.

Two guards descended carrying wooden trays.

On them—

Black cards.

Each with four digits.

Nothing else.

One by one, the children received them.

A guard stopped in front of Vihaan.

“This is your number.”

Vihaan stared at it.

“2345… so this is me now?”

Liorin received hers.

“Looks like we all start fresh here.”

Eryx flipped his card casually.

“Alright… let’s see what this house can do.”

Kael’s voice echoed again.

“Remember these numbers.”

“From this day forward… it is all you are allowed to be.”

The Rules

“From tomorrow, your life here will change.”

“You will eat twice a day.”

“You will sleep eight hours.”

“You will train five hours every day.”

“You will rise at 0500.”

“The most important rule…”

“No one leaves the House.”

Silence filled the hall.

“Anyone who attempts will face immediate consequences.”

Then—

A footstep sounded from above.

The Man

A man descended the staircase.

Shaved head.

Long grey beard.

A deep scar across his face.

Dark glasses.

A cigarette between his lips.

Kael stepped aside.

Respectfully.

The man flicked the cigarette away.

Placed his hat on.

“No, Kael.”

“Not five hours.”

“Eight.”

Unease spread instantly.

“I want them ready within a month.”

Kael nodded.

“Training will be eight hours a day.”

“No excuses.”

“No delays.”

“No holidays.”

“Except two cases.”

“Exceptional performance.”

“Or a serious medical condition.”

“And that condition… will be verified.”

“Any doubts?”

A hand rose.

Eryx.

“What happens if someone breaks the rules?”

The man stepped closer.

“Curiosity survives here.”

A pause.

“Only once.”

He turned away.

Halfway up the stairs he said—

“If you want to know…”

“…break them.”

Then disappeared into shadow.

Kael’s Warning

Kael walked toward Eryx.

“You’re a brave boy.”

“But bravery is not shouting into the dark.”

“Curiosity is a strength.”

“But only when controlled.”

“When a knife rests against your neck…”

“…you do not test how sharp it is.”

A final line.

“Your training begins tomorrow.”

Night — House of Evolution

The moon rose high.

The House stood silent.

Its windows glowing faintly.

Like watching eyes.

Inside, a low mechanical hum echoed.

Dormitory

Rows of identical metal beds.

Cold.

Uniform.

Vihaan, Liorin, and Eryx entered slowly.

Exhausted.

They sat.

Liorin: “It’s… too much, This place feels harsher than I expected.”

Eryx:“Harsh places don’t scare me. People running them do.”

Vihaan: “You can’t fight everything with force,” 

Eryx: “Who said force? We can starve them of obedience.”

Liorin: “You think skipping food will bother them?” 

Vihaan:  “It’s just one month, After training, the pressure will drop.”

A faint metallic click echoed somewhere.

None noticed.

Liorin: “This isn’t the place I imagined,” 

Vihaan: “At least they feed us,”

Eryx: “That’s how cages work, They feed you… so you don’t escape.”

Vihaan: “I’m not scared,”

Eryx:“I know, You’re convincing yourself.”

“Stop,” Liorin said firmly.

Silence.

The hum grew louder.

“Let’s see what tomorrow brings,” Liorin said.

“…Yeah,” Vihaan replied.

“Tomorrow always brings truth,” Eryx murmured.

They lay down.

Lights dimmed.

But did not turn off completely.

The camera lingered on Eryx.

His eyes still open.

Then—

A faint footstep above.

Silence.

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