Moonlight shimmered across the clouds, casting a silver glow over the world below. The atmosphere was clear, revealing stars in perfect clarity. Streetlights flickered along the roads, adding a warm contrast to the cool night. Towering buildings stood like silent guardians beneath the heavens.
In one of those high-rise apartments, a boy slept restlessly. From outside, it looked like he was trapped in a nightmare—his breathing uneven, head tossing from side to side.
“Huh... huh... huh... huh...”
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He sat up, chest heaving. Realizing it had only been a dream, he gradually steadied his breath.
“Huh... huh... huh... huh...”
He rose from bed and stepped onto the balcony. Under the crystal-clear sky, the stars gleamed brighter than usual. The moon hung low, unnaturally large. He stared at it for a moment, then murmured:
“Not again…”
Closing his eyes, he took a long breath and exhaled.
---
The year was 2557.
The sun rose over a world reshaped by catastrophe. Due to centuries of global warming, many coastal nations had vanished beneath rising seas. Glaciers had all but melted. Magma surges rocked the Earth. The seven continents had fused into two colossal landmasses: Elarion and Zepharnis.
Humanity, however, had not only survived—it had evolved.
Phones had become obsolete. Everyone now had a personal AI, seamlessly integrated into daily life. Once-incurable diseases like cancer had been eradicated. Mars boasted nearly two billion residents. Earth remained home to nine billion.
In the capital city of Zepharnis—Orvanis, a metropolis the size of present-day China—an apartment tower stretched proudly into the sky. Inside, a boy of eighteen stood at a stovetop, wearing an apron as he prepared poached eggs.
Lucien had long black hair, piercing crimson eyes, a defined jawline, and stood about 180 cm tall. His movements in the kitchen were swift and practiced.
He set the table for two and called out:
“Lilith! Get up! You’re gonna be late for college again!”
Moments later, a girl emerged from one of the rooms. Lilith, three years younger than Lucien, had soft brown hair, matching crimson eyes, and porcelain skin. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
“Brother, why are you yelling? I was literally about to wake up.”
“If you don’t want to be late, wash up and eat.”
Lucien and Lilith were orphans. He remembered nothing of their parents—not their faces, not their voices. According to their guardians, an accident had taken them when Lucien was just four. He had no memory of it—just his and Lilith’s names.
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Over the years, Lucien had taken on the responsibility of providing for them. Their uncle and aunt still helped, but Lucien knew it was time he pulled his own weight.
At fifteen, he started streaming gaming videos. In the beginning, he struggled for views. But persistence paid off. Now he was one of the top streamers in Zepharnis—able to support both himself and his sister, with enough extra to support their guardians as well
“Tomorrow’s your graduation ceremony, right?” Lucien asked.
“Yup! And you're coming with me.”
“Of course. We also need to get Adrian a birthday gift.”
Adrian was the only son of their guardians—and Lucien’s best friend.
Lilith sipped her juice. “You cook too well for someone who spends half his life screaming at screens.”
Lucien rolled his eyes. “It’s professional yelling, thank you very much.”
“Right, right. Mr. ‘Top 100 Streamers in Zepharnis.’ I’m sure your fans would pay extra for an apron stream.”
“If I ever stream in this apron, remind me to delete the entire internet.”
“Too late. I took a photo.”
“You didn’t—! Lilith!”
“Relax. I won’t post it... unless you forget my bubble tea today.”
“Blackmail? Impressive. You’re definitely growing up.”
She smiled gently. “We both had to.”
Lucien softened. “Yeah... but I’m glad we still have this.”
---
That night — Lucien’s bedroom
The hum of the city buzzed faintly outside. Inside, all was still.
Lucien slept.
And the dream returned.
It always began the same way.
A woman wept. Her face was obscured—blurred like fogged glass—but even through the haze, there was no mistaking it: she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her embrace was fierce, protective. Her voice, though cracked with emotion, had a melodic warmth.
“My baby... my babies... I can’t let them go there alone. They don’t understand... they’re too young...”
Lucien felt small in her arms. Helpless. Safe.
Then, a man appeared—also faceless, shrouded in shadow. He held another child tightly. Reaching out, he embraced the woman and Lucien, clinging to a bond already breaking.
“I know,” the man whispered. “But staying here would be more dangerous. They’ll be safer there... even if it breaks us.”
The woman’s sobs deepened, quiet and devastating. Lucien didn’t understand, but her pain felt like his own. He longed to comfort her, to stop whatever was coming.
The man turned to Lucien and gently placed a hand over his heart.
“Don’t resent us too much. We’re doing this to protect both of you. Take care of your sister—always.”
Then everything shattered.
The warmth vanished. Voices fell silent.
Only pain remained—sharp, splitting, overwhelming.
---
Lucien shot awake.
His breath came in gasps, his body slick with cold sweat.
The same dream. Again.
It had haunted him for nearly a month. The same blurred faces. The same aching emotions. It didn’t feel like a nightmare—it felt like a memory.
He had seen psychologists. They’d called it stress. Anxiety.
But his life was calm. Secure.
So why did this feel real?
He got up, made a cup of coffee, and stepped onto the balcony. The moon was high again, glowing silver over the sleeping city.
He took a slow sip.
Tomorrow was Lilith’s big day.
She’d be fifteen. Practically an adult.
Lucien smiled faintly.
She deserved the best day.
---
Verdant Vale Academy
Crowds bustled at the gates—students in graduation robes, families taking photos, laughter echoing.
Lucien kept close to Lilith.
“Lilith! Over here!”
A girl waved from the entrance. Lilith lit up. “That’s Vivan! Come on, I want you to meet her.”
She dragged Lucien forward. Vivan stood beside a striking woman who looked too young to be her mother.
“Brother, this is Vivan—my best friend. And her aunt, Ms. Elowen.”
Ms. Elowen extended her hand. “Pleasure. Lilith talks about you nonstop.”
Her grip was firm. Her gaze lingered a bit too long.
Lucien nodded politely, pulling his hand back. He noticed faint scars near her temple. Not the kind from accidents—scars earned.
---
The ceremony was long and ceremonial—speeches about dreams, futures, and hope.
Lucien barely heard them.
Then they called her name.
Lilith walked across the stage, proud and graceful. Lucien stood and clapped till his palms hurt.
She turned, eyes searching.
Found him.
He waved.
She smiled.
For a moment, the crowd vanished—it was just the two of them.
---
That evening, Lucien fixed his collar in the mirror. Fresh black shirt, sleeves rolled. Hair combed back.
“You trying to look cool?” Lilith teased from outside.
“Shut it.”
She peeked in. “Wow. Clean-up mode activated. Too bad you're still the world’s most reluctant party guest.”
He tossed a pillow at her. She ducked, laughing.
---
Music pulsed through Adrien’s apartment. Lucien knocked.
Adrien answered with a grin and soda. “You made it!”
“Wouldn’t miss your big twentieth,” Lucien said, handing him a gift.
Adrien opened it—and froze.
“Dude... how did you even get this...?”
“Stole it.”
Adrien pulled him into a hug, laughing.
Then Lucien saw her.
Ms. Elowen.
In the kitchen. Like she belonged there.
“What’s she doing here?” he asked quietly.
Adrien glanced over. “Oh—Dad brought her. Said she’s his junior or something—”
A thunderclap shook the sky.
Lights flickered.
Lucien turned toward the window.
The sky... had turned green. A swirling, eerie green.
Ms. Elowen rose, calm and composed, sipping her drink.
“Right on time,” she murmured, her eyes glowing faintly.
