The world was falling apart, even if no one noticed it directly. The starting point lay in the decisions people made with their own hands — choices that altered the fate of a continent, destroyed lives, and undermined the very essence of power. If we truly had control over these choices, would we give a chance to those who had already shattered the world? Can a person change, or does their nature always lead to chaos?

Arvendal… the center of it all. A majestic city that shone across the continent of Valmiria like a heart beating in the rhythm of history. Yet even a heart can stop.

The eleventh emperor, Tarvind Ordelis — the last of the Ordelis line — departed from the world of the living. His death struck like thunder in a clear sky: sudden, unexpected, terrifying.

For Valmiria, it marked the end of an era of unity. The fragile stability that had kept the continent in harmony for centuries shattered into pieces. The nobility and lords, who for generations had obeyed the will of the Ordelis line, now looked at each other with suspicion. Some whispered of conspiracy, others of inevitable war. The world changed overnight.

The emperor left behind two children: a son, only fourteen — still young, yet already capable of fighting for the throne — and his seventeen-year-old sister, the heiress. Younger in age but sharp and cunning, she drew the favor of the nobility: her keen mind, subtle sense of politics, and the lords’ desire to use marriage as a tool of power made her the most advantageous candidate.

The continent of Valmiria stood on the brink of chaos. Now, every step, every decision, could prove fatal.

At dawn, the news of the emperor’s death reached even the most remote corners of Valmiria — the village of Syvoverkh included. People poured into the streets, gathering in small groups, whispering to one another, discussing the dreadful event. Adults and children alike were tense; no one knew what would come next. Who would become the new emperor? How would these changes affect their lives?

During the late ruler’s reign, life had been relatively peaceful: taxes were moderate, peasants felt the protection of the government, and the local guards kept order. Now, most of those guards had been withdrawn, and the calm that had lasted for years dissipated like morning mist.

“Did you hear?” Levan waved his arms, his eyes burning with fear and despair. “Now the struggle between the noble houses will begin… and who knows how we’ll live through it!”

His dreams crumbled along with the emperor’s death. Who knew if a lowly peasant would ever be allowed among the elite… among the bright-faced ones who called themselves the “Elite of Light”? The Order, loyal only to the emperor, stood as guardians of Arvendal and the entire continent. But would there ever be a place for someone like him among them?

“You worry for nothing,” I said calmly, with a faint smirk. “They wouldn’t have taken you anyway.”

Levan shrugged in frustration, but a spark of hope flashed in his eyes — a naive belief capable of changing the world, even if you were only a tiny part of its chaos.

The sun blinded my eyes. It would have been nice to be a bit taller — then the tree’s leaves might have shielded me partially from the scorching rays. My dark hair only made the heat worse, and my head felt like it was about to boil.

“Aren’t you at all concerned about your future?” Levan squinted slyly. “Imagine: everyone knows your name… Kairen! People say it with pride, and some even claim to have met you in person.”

“I don’t care,” I replied calmly. “I’m fine as I am. I’m not trying to jump higher than my head.”

“With that attitude, you won’t get far,” Levan smiled and waved his hand.

“Yeah, whatever you say,” I replied, glancing at the shadow beneath a tree. “Let’s go there… to the cool grass.”

“I can’t,” Levan muttered, staying in place.

“Suit yourself,” I said lightly. “Keep roasting in the sun.”

“I don’t mind…” he muttered, pretending to be irritated, but there was laughter in his voice.

The sun continued to beat down mercilessly, yet even the tiniest patch of shade felt like paradise.

“All right,” Levan couldn’t hold back. “And you’ll just go on living the rest of your life… as nobody?”

“What’s wrong with that?” I replied lazily. “It’s my choice.”

“That’s not allowed!” he snapped. “You can’t just drift along with the current.”

“Leave it to me,” I said calmly. “I take care of myself. Don’t worry. And why get into such heavy topics? Be like me: rest in the cool shade and listen to the rustle of the leaves.”

“Nope,” Levan snorted.

I had almost drifted off when he suddenly sat down beside me.

“Did the sun get that hot?”

“Maybe,” he muttered without even looking at me.

“And what if a war breaks out between the Vargraim and Aldekrain houses?” Levan turned his gaze on me, studying me intently, as if trying to peer deeper than I wanted. “Their relations are already tense. Whose side will you take?”

I squinted and opened one eye.

“What about the other houses?”

“I’m talking about them specifically.”

“None of them,” I closed my eyes again. “I’m not going anywhere. And soon it’s back to work. So hush… and rest.”

“You’ll die like that,” Levan spat angrily.

I barely smiled.

“That would be appropriate… preferably in old age.”

“Hey! You two!”

I grimaced without opening my eyes. Great… he found us. I hate moments like this.

I glanced at Levan. He was staring off into the distance, as if somewhere else entirely. I nudged him with my elbow.

“What?”

“They’re calling us.”

Ghaldr was standing nearby, arms crossed, waiting for us impatiently. A normal routine — he always sought us out in the morning. Getting us to the field was a real feat. And who really likes working in the fields anyway?

“And what is it this time?” he grumbled. “Got lost?”

“We were about to leave,” I shrugged. “Just didn’t notice the time. You know how it is when you’re busy…”

“What?”

Thwack.

He smacked me on the back of the head.

“Oi! For what?!”

“For lying,” Ghaldr barked.

Then he looked at Levan.

“And you too, dreamer.”

Levan said nothing. He looked like he was making some important decision. Normally, he would have snapped back — but not this time.

The field buzzed with activity. People were gathering the harvest, and the air was thick with dust, sweat, and the heavy sigh of the earth.

Hard work in the fields had only one real advantage.

Lunch was coming soon.

That was what kept me going. That was what kept me on my feet. I loved lunch: the shade under a tree, simple but tasty food, cool milk.

The main thing was to survive until then.

Finally, the sun had moved to the right position, and the shadow of the trees fell exactly where we had stopped.

“Who would have doubted it?” Ghaldr teased. “And you, Kairen?”

“I see nothing strange,” I replied. “All according to schedule.”

Ghaldr barely smiled. We all sat down to catch our breath and snack, chatting about little things: how everyone spent their time, what’s new in the village, funny stories.

I scanned the area for Levan. He was sitting apart, lost in his thoughts. I wanted to approach him, but suddenly shouts and the ringing of a bell reached our ears.

Someone from the local guards was running toward us. It was Nico, a young lad. Strange that he hadn’t gone immediately with the other guards, but perhaps it was his attachment to the village… or to Lia.

“Quickly!” Nico shouted, waving his arms. “Back to the village! The Xirexes are attacking!”

Xirexes… bandits who always come up with flashy names for themselves. I just shook my head, not surprised: with the local guards gone, they wouldn’t wait. The only question was when exactly… but we didn’t have long to wait.

Thanks to the local guards, who had been preparing the villagers and fortifying Syvoverkh in advance, we were protected. The chances of repelling the attack were slim, but real.

“Take your positions! Everyone — to the palisades!” Kagrim’s orders rang out.

He was one of the senior guards — a strong, broad-shouldered man, though his hair was already streaked with grey. There was no panic in his voice — only experience.

“Do not leave the walls. Hold the defense. No improvisation,” he cast a sharp look at the younger ones. “Especially you.”

I was scared. This was my first real battle. Before, if Syvoverkh was ever attacked, the local guards, together with a few senior villagers, always handled it themselves. We only heard about it later.

“Are you scared?” Levan asked quietly.

I turned my head. His eyes were burning. Not with fear — with something else. Determination. Mine probably gave me away completely.

“It’s my first time on the walls,” I admitted finally.

“That’s what it means to be a man,” he said. “And to live life fully.”

“What…?” I didn’t immediately understand what he meant.

“I will go to Arvendal,” his face was confident, more than ever before. “I know what I want. And I don’t doubt it.”

So that’s what he’s been thinking all this time… Our dreams were different. My choice — a calm life without extra trouble. I looked away and said nothing.

On the horizon, bandits appeared.

There weren’t many — and that was unsettling. Perhaps the rest were lying in ambush… waiting for us to make a mistake and leave the walls.

“Don’t twitch. Wait,” Kagrim repeated. “Let them come closer.”

The bandits stopped, as if they knew we were ready. On the village walls, cannons were poised to defend Syvoverkh. There were only three, but that was enough to repel the attack and turn the enemy into easy prey.

One of the bandits raised his hand. A pistol was clutched in it.

A shot rang out — and a signal flare shot into the sky.

“Destroy everything!” he shouted at the top of his lungs.

From the village behind us, voices suddenly rang out. Screams. Wails.

What?..

Cold sweat ran down my back. How was this possible? Syvoverkh was fortified. The defense had no right to fail.

“Men, no panic!” Kagrim’s voice cut through the noise. “Do not let fear take control of your body!”

He issued orders quickly and clearly:

“Nico! Gather our men and a few others!”

“The rest — to the walls!”

“The youths stay here! We’ll give these scum a fight!”

There was confidence in his voice — real, commanding. And he was the first to leap into battle.

The bandits broke into the village.

How?.. Could there be a secret passage they’d discovered? Or had someone shown them the way?

The fight split into two fronts: one inside Syvoverkh itself, the other beyond its walls.

And I stood between them, feeling for the first time how my world was cracking at the seams.