On a distant planet, a small boy ran through the door, excitement in his voice.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Saas called out as he rushed to his mother.
She turned to him with a smile. "Why did you stop playing? Are you hurt?" She knelt to check for injuries.
"No, Mom. The kids said no one's playing today. They told me to come back tomorrow," Saas replied, still smiling.
His parents exchanged a sad glance.
"Go to your room, dear. I'll make you some snacks," his mother said softly. Saas nodded happily and ran off.
As soon as he was out of earshot, his mother broke down. "Why are they doing this to our child?" she wept.
His father sighed, wrapping an arm around her. "Don't cry. Everything will be alright. Just keep him away from the other children for a while."
"But how? Every morning, he rushes to the playground, hoping to play. And every day, he comes back with the same excuse," she said through her tears. "They avoid him like he's some kind of stray animal. Is it because of how he looks? My baby was just born this way! To me, he is the most beautiful boy in the world."
His father clenched his fists. "I know… But we can't change their minds. Do you remember what the villagers said when he was born? 'He's cursed—three eyes mean he's a demon's child,' they whispered. Some even told me to get rid of him." His voice trembled with rage. "If my brother weren't the village head, I would've burned this place down."
His wife wiped her tears. "It's not fair. All the other children are happy, playing… but our son…"
His father kissed her forehead. "Don't think about it. Just make him his favorite snack, alright?" He stepped outside, hiding his own pain.
---
The next morning, just like always, Saas ran to the playground, only to return home soon after. He found his mother washing dishes.
"Mom?" he called softly.
She turned to him. "Yes, dear?"
"Am I ugly?"
The words struck her like a dagger. A plate slipped from her hands, shattering on the floor. She immediately knelt and hugged him tightly.
"Who told you that?" she asked, trying to hold back her tears.
"Today, when I was walking home, someone said, 'No one's gonna play with you, ugly demon.' Is that true, Mom?" Saas asked, his voice small.
His mother forced a smile. "Of course not. He was just joking. Look at you—who could call you ugly?"
"Really?" Saas' eyes brightened.
"Really! Though… not as handsome as your father," she teased, making him giggle.
---
The next day, Saas arrived at the playground to see the other kids already playing. His face lit up, and he ran towards them.
But as soon as he got close, whispers spread through the group.
"Ugh, he's coming again. How many times do we have to tell him?" one boy muttered.
"Let's end this today, Leddi," another sneered.
Saas reached them, beaming. "Oh, today you're playing! Thank God! Let's play!"
Leddi stepped forward, scowling. "How many times do I have to say it? No one's going to play with you. Have you ever looked in a mirror, ugly demon?"
Saas laughed nervously. "Ha… Ha… I know you're joking. Stop wasting time. Let's play!"
Leddi's expression darkened. "Didn't you hear me? Just looking at you gives me the creeps. Everyone—throw rocks at him!"
Before Saas could react, stones pelted his small body. He yelped in pain and ran as fast as he could.
"That's enough! Leave him alone!" a girl's voice rang out.
Leddi rolled his eyes. "Oh look, the Strongfold girl is giving orders again."
Ignoring him, the girl ran after Saas.
Saas collapsed near a river, sobbing. He stared at his reflection in the water—his three eyes staring back at him.
"I like your eye, though. It's really pretty," a gentle voice said.
Saas turned sharply. A girl was standing beside him.
"Go away! Do you want to throw stones at me too?" he snapped.
"Why would I do that?" she asked, sitting beside him.
"You're lying. I know I'm ugly," Saas muttered.
She placed her hands on his cheeks, turning his face to hers. "Look at me," she said gently.
"You're beautiful."
"But they said—"
"Who cares what they say?" she interrupted. "That's just their ugly way of seeing the world. You have three eyes? So what? That means you can see the world more beautifully than they ever will." She smiled.
For the first time in forever, Saas smiled back.
"My name's Som. Nice to meet you." the girl said with a gentle smile.
From that day on, they were inseparable. Saas came home smiling every day, his parents overjoyed to see their son happy at last.
"I think he found a friend," his mother said one evening.
"Whoever they are, may the gods bless them," his father whispered, blinking back tears.
Months passed.
One afternoon, Saas and Som sat by the riverside.
"I'm tired. I think I'll head home," Som yawned.
"No, sit for a while longer," Saas pleaded.
"Oh? You don't want me to go? Do you miss me that much?" Som teased.
"N-No! That's not—" Saas stammered, blushing.
She laughed. "Look at you! Just admit it."
Saas took a deep breath. "I… I lov—"
Before he could finish, a commotion broke out. Children ran past them, screaming.
"What's going on?" Som called after them.
"They've arrived in town!" a boy shouted as he ran.
Saas and Som exchanged worried glances.
"They?" they said in unison, before sprinting toward the village.
"A message to all inhabitants of this planet!" a horned man announced in the town square. "By order of the Devil Midnight, you are to evacuate immediately. This planet now belongs to her!"
The village head stepped forward. "Why should we obey you? This is our home! And even if we wanted to leave, we have no technology to do so!"
Bart Saves, commander of the Midnight SP Army, smirked. "Oh, don't worry—I'll provide pods."
"We don't want your pods!" the village head protested. "Where would we even go? Please… leave before this turns into a massacre." He bowed.
Bart chuckled. "Who are you to order me, worm?"
He raised his gun and fired.
But before the blast could hit, a sword whirled through the air, deflecting the shots.
Bart's eyes widened. The sword flew back to a figure in the crowd—Senetto Exon, the village head's brother… and Saas's father.
"Who the hell are you?" Bart snarled.
"That's my line," Senetto said. "Who are you to demand we abandon our planet? And how dare you raise a weapon against my brother?" His grip on his sword tightened. "Do you want to die?"
"Ohoho… the worms have grown a backbone." Bart grinned. "I am Bart Saves, Commander of the Midnight SP Army. This is your last chance. Take the pods and leave."
Senetto's gaze darkened. "I don't care who you are. What are you planning to do with our planet?"
"We've detected a rich deposit of Euroxa here. We're going to mine it."
"So you're here to destroy our home." Senetto's aura flared. "Then get the hell out—or I'll cripple you myself."
Bart Saves smirked at Senetto's defiance. "Oh... so you're ready to die?"
Without warning, he opened fire. Bullets of energy shot toward Senetto like a storm.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Senetto's sword moved so fast it seemed to shimmer, deflecting every shot. Then, in a flash, he lunged at Bart.
Bart barely dodged as Senetto's blade slashed through the air, inches from his neck. "Tch... That was close," he muttered, quickly stepping back.
Reaching into his pocket, Bart pulled out a massive weapon—far too large to fit in such a small space. Senetto's eyes widened.
"Where the hell did that come from?"
Bart grinned at his confusion. "Oh… surprised? This is an ability you lower creatures could never hope to achieve!"
Senetto tightened his grip on his sword. "I don't need a stupid ability to kill you."
He dashed forward. His sword blurred, striking with such speed that the crowd couldn't even see his movements. Bart tried to fire, but every shot was deflected before it could reach him.
"Impossible… this guy—!"
Desperate, Bart reached into his pocket and pulled out another weapon—a beam cannon. He fired directly at Senetto.
A flash of light.
A deafening sound.
The beam hit something—but not Senetto.
The attack had reflected off Senetto's sword and shot back toward Bart.
Boom!
The impact sent Bart crashing to the ground, smoke rising from his burnt armor. He clutched his side, screaming in pain.
Senetto stood over him, panting. "Do you understand now? Get the hell off our planet."
Bart trembled. He knew—he couldn't win this fight.
His eyes darted around. "I need an opening…"
Suddenly, he sprinted toward the crowd, grabbing a woman and shoving a gun to her head.
The color drained from Senetto's face.
The woman was his wife.
"No one move!" Bart barked. "Unless you want this bitch dead."
Senetto froze. His wife and son were the most important people in his universe. But as a warrior, he had a duty to his people.
His entire body trembled with rage. He took a step forward.
"So you want her dead?" Bart taunted, pressing his finger to the trigger.
"Brother, stop!" the village head shouted. "I can't let you destroy your family! I know how much you love her… she's my family too." He turned to Bart. "We'll do as you say. Please, let her go."
The village head knelt before Bart.
"Hahaha… That's where you belong, worm." Bart placed his boot on the man's head, pressing it into the dirt.
Senetto's fists clenched so tightly that blood dripped from his palms.
"Now you, asshole. Kneel, if you want your wife to live."
Gritting his teeth, Senetto slowly lowered himself to his knees.
Two soldiers rushed forward and bound his arms.
At that moment, Saas and Som arrived at the scene.
Saas's heart stopped when he saw his parents on the ground.
"Mom…? Dad…?"
He sprinted toward them.
"Saas, run away!" Senetto shouted.
But Saas didn't listen. He threw himself into his father's arms. "Dad… what's happening? Why are you tied up?"
Senetto forced a smile. "It's just a game, son. But you need to run away, okay? We'll come find you when it's over."
Bart sneered. "Ohoho… unlucky worm. You're going to lose your wife and son in the same day."
Senetto's face twisted in rage. "You promised to spare her if I knelt!"
Bart shrugged. "Did I? Maybe you're hallucinating."
Senetto's wife turned to the village head. "Brother, take Saas and leave. The one he wants is us."
The village head hesitated—but before he could move, Bart casually lifted his gun.
Bang!
A shot rang out.
The village head gasped. A dark red stain spread across his chest.
"Brother! you motherfucker.." Senetto screamed, crawling toward him.
Bart sighed. "Mind your words, worm. I have your wife and son."
Senetto cradled his brother's body, shaking him desperately. "Brother…!"
Bart tapped his gun against Senetto's skull. "Now, fun time is over."
He grabbed Saas by the collar and yanked him into the air.
"Put him down, bastard!" Senetto roared.
Bart smirked. "Say that again." He pressed the gun to Saas's head.
Senetto's breath hitched. "Please… spare him. Kill me. Do whatever you want with me, but let my wife and son go."
Bart laughed. "Oh, this is priceless! Watching you beg! Okay, I have a better idea."
He tossed Saas aside and walked toward Senetto's wife.
"How about I kill you both in front of him? That would be a great show."
Senetto thrashed against his bindings. "No! Kill me instead! Please!"
Bart ignored him. He pointed the gun at her head.
"Hey, kid," he called to Saas. "Look here."
Saas's mother gave him a soft smile.
Bang!
Two drops of blood splattered onto Saas's face.
She collapsed.
Saas's mind went blank.
Senetto slammed his head against the ground, screaming in agony.
"Mom…?"
Saas stumbled forward, eyes filled with confusion. "Mom, wake up…"
Bart watched, amused. "And now for the finale."
Bang!
Another gunshot.
Senetto's body fell lifeless beside his wife.
A scream tore from Saas's throat.
"MOM! DAD!"
Tears blurred his vision. His chest ached as if it would explode. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the dirt.
Bart sighed. "Tell Midnight we've secured the planet. Start mining tomorrow."
"What about the kid?" a soldier asked.
Bart snorted. "Leave him. No one's left here. He'll die on his own."
He boarded his ship, and the fleet left the planet.
Silence.
Only Saas remained.
He cried until his voice was gone.
And then…
He lost consciousness.
When the spaceships were gone, Som, who had been hiding under a tree, cautiously stepped out. Her heart pounded as she ran toward Saas, who lay motionless on the ground.
"Hey... Saas. Wake up," she called, shaking him gently. But he didn't move.
Panic surged through her. She bit her lip, fighting back tears, and mustered all her strength to drag him toward a nearby house.
Three long days passed.
Saas's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry. The first thing he saw was Som, curled up beside him, her face stained with dried tears. His head throbbed, but he forced himself to speak.
"Som... Hey..."
She stirred awake, and the moment she saw him conscious, she threw her arms around him, holding him tight.
"You finally woke up... It's been three days. I was really worried, you know," Som whispered, her voice trembling.
"I'm really sorry, Som," Saas muttered, guilt weighing on his chest. But suddenly, a chilling thought struck him. His body stiffened.
"Where... where are my mom and dad?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Som didn't answer. She held onto him tighter.
"Hey... Som, I asked you—where are my mom and dad?" His voice cracked with desperation.
Som swallowed hard and stood up.
"Come with me," she said softly, taking his hand.
They stepped outside, the air heavy with silence. Som led him to a large tree, where two graves lay side by side.
Saas's breath hitched. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.
His vision blurred with tears. His hands trembled as he reached out, tracing the fresh earth with his fingers.
"It's... all over," he murmured.
His lips quivered as he let out a choked sob.
"Mom... Why? Didn't you say you'd be here with me until I die? Didn't you say you'd teach me swordplay, Dad? You all lied... When the time came, you all left me." His voice broke. "Everybody in this universe... they're all liars."
Som knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around him, trying to hold together the pieces of his shattered soul.
"That's not true. They tried to protect you," she said softly.
"Why? No one cares if an ugly demon dies."
"That's not—!" Som hesitated. "It's not like that... It's just... I don't know."
She tightened her grip on him, wishing she could take away his pain. But she knew there were no words that could ease this kind of sorrow.
Minutes felt like hours.
Then, Som broke the silence.
"Saas, listen to me. We have to get out of here. I checked—there's one pod left," she said firmly.
Saas didn't respond. His dull eyes remained fixed on the graves.
"You go, Som," he whispered. "I'm not coming. I want to stay here with my mom and dad."
Som's hands clenched into fists. Her chest ached watching him like this.
Then, without hesitation, she slapped him across the face.
Saas flinched, stunned.
"Snap out of it!" she shouted, her eyes glistening with tears. "If I wanted to leave alone, I would've gone a long time ago! I can't leave you here because I care about you. I... I love you, Saas! More than anything! And I want to be with you forever!"
Saas's breath caught in his throat. He looked at her, wide-eyed.
"Don't look at me like that... It's embarrassing," she muttered, wiping her tears. Then, her voice softened. "You haven't lost everyone... You still have me."
She reached for his hand and pulled him up.
Saas hesitated for a moment before gripping her hand tightly. Without another word, they ran toward the pod's location.
Meanwhile, the Midnight Army had begun mining operations. Soldiers and machinery littered the area. Saas and Som moved carefully through the base, their hearts pounding in sync.
They were almost there.
But then—
A soldier grabbed Som's arm.
"Hey... Where are you going? I thought there were no civilians left here," the soldier sneered, stepping toward Saas.
Som struggled against his grip.
"Help!" she screamed.
Saas's chest burned with panic. He clenched his fists.
"Leave her alone!" he roared.
And then—
The soldier started floating.
"What the—?! What's happening to me?! Ahh!"
He flailed in the air, panic flashing across his face. Saas stood frozen in shock.
But there was no time to think. He grabbed Som's hand and ran.
They dove into the pod, breathless, and launched it. The pod ascended, leaving the ruined planet behind.
Saas sat back, his heart pounding.
"Saas... Are you okay?" Som asked, worried.
"Yeah... but what was that? How did he float like that?" Saas asked, still shaken.
"I don't know," Som replied, just as confused.
Suddenly—
Boom!
The pod crashed into something—something massive. Before they could react, a force pulled them inside a spaceship.
Som clung to Saas in fear.
"Hey, Cas, a pod just hit our CP," a man reported to another, who was lounging with a drink in his hand.
"A pod, huh? Check who's inside," the man said.
"They checked. It's two kids—a boy and a girl."
The man's eyes sharpened. He placed his drink down and stood up.
"Does the boy have three eyes?" he asked.
"Yeah... Why? What is it, Cas?"
Before his crewmate could finish speaking, he sprinted toward the pod.
Inside, Saas and Som huddled together, their small bodies shaking in fear. Their wide, tear-filled eyes stared at the strangers before them.
The man stepped forward, then knelt down.
"It's okay now," he said gently.
At those words, Saas and Som finally broke. Their walls shattered, and they threw themselves into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
These were the words they had longed to hear.
They weren't alone anymore.
It was Casimir—the man who knew everything.
-To Be Continued....