"Be careful, Emma. The mountain clouds look like they're heading this way," Emma's mother said softly.
"Yeah I can see that" Emma seemed to not care as she was eating breakfast.
"You should take your coat today, clouds are looking scary, and your father can't come and get you at school." Emma was Velmira's only daughter and she treated her like a princess. "I am going to put it here, so you don't forget."
"Thanks," Emma appreciated her mother's company, the two were very close "Why dad can't come today?"
"He said he has a lot to do in the forge."
"Got it, maybe I can help him after school," Caerion - Emma's father - was always very busy with his work "I have been wanting to spend some time with him. Lately he has been very strange."
"Yes, since Mr. Albert died, all the people in the village have been coming to make their requests to forge to dad," Velmira said "I am sure he will like your help."
"Oh, I will be late," Emma grabs her coat in a hurry "See you later Mom!"
Velmira smiles "Have a good day Emma"
Rain clouds loomed over Trevana. Even so, Emma stepped out of her house with a smile, ready for school. One of her few friends, Danyel, always waited for her just before class began.
"Hurry up, Emma! The sky's getting darker!"
"Don't tell me you're afraid of getting wet," Emma laughed.
"Shut up, I can't stand your good mood in the morning"
They both entered the small village school, ready for another ordinary day.
"What do you think Mrs. Luisa will talk about today in history class?" Emma asked Daniel curiously.
"I don't even want to think about it. It will be the last class of the day, give it a rest. I just hope it's not too boring."
Both enter the classroom. Emma just wanted to have history lessons so the rest of the day she just seemed bored. As the lesson went on, rain began to fall outside.
The day passed by. "Old legends say that the day Trevana's volcanoes roar once more, the sun will turn blue…" the teacher said during class. Emma sat there, now smiling, lost in the sound of her teacher's voice.
She loved history lessons about the kingdom. Hearing stories of Musvarod's kings and the five great realms made her dream of a life far from her own. Danyel, on the other hand, thought those stories were pointless and didn't make much sense.
"All right, my dear students, that's all for today. Thank you for coming," the teacher said as the lesson ended.
Emma and Danyel stepped out into the rainy afternoon.
"I wonder why Mrs. Luisa didn't talk about the kings today."
"The kings never cared about this land," Danyel said. "My parents always say the kingdoms only bring misery to the people."
"My dream is to go to the capital," Emma said, gazing at the grey sky. "My mother always tells wonderful stories from her days there. That's where she met my father."
Danyel looked surprised. "Your family is from the capital?"
"Yes. They came to Trevana before I was born."
"Strange… someone choosing to leave the capital behind for a quiet life here."
Emma kept staring at the sky, as if she were sleepwalking. When she drifted into that dreamy state, she often stopped noticing the world around her — even Danyel. That dream of hers felt more real than anything else.
"Hey… Emma… are you listening to me?"
"Hm? Ah… sorry, I was."
"Then what did I just say?"
"Hmm… that… you should come over for a snack?"
Danyel gave her a playful nudge on the shoulder. "I'll pretend you didn't say that. But I do love those little walnut cakes your mom makes."
They both laughed and ran toward the northern part of the village, where Emma's house stood. The rain kept pouring, and their coats were already soaked through.
"Come on, Danyel! I bet my mom already lit the fireplace!"
They rushed ahead, trying not to get even wetter — but then, they were stopped by two men with serious looks in their eyes. Their uniforms looked like they belonged to someone important.
"Is… is something wrong?" Danyel asked nervously. Emma, on the other hand, looked suspicious.
The men said nothing. One of them lunged and grabbed Danyel. Emma managed to dodge the other and started running.
"EMMA RUN!" Danyel shouted.
Her house wasn't far — for a moment, she thought she might make it. But then her foot slipped in a small puddle.
"Leave me alone!" Screamed Emma as the man grabbed her "What do you want?"
"You need to come with me."
From inside the Suerio home, Emma's scream could be heard. Velmira rushed out, stumbling over her house dress as she ran toward the sound.
"HELP! SOMEBODY!" Emma cried out, terrified, while the stranger tried to hold down her furious kicks.
Velmira reached the scene, breathless and panicked. "EMMA!" she shouted — and then froze when she saw the man holding her daughter "What are you doing here? Leave my daughter alone!"
"MOM! MOM!! HELP ME!" Emma screamed, her eyes filled with rage and fear. The man drew a weapon from his belt and pointed it at Velmira. Without a word, he fired.
Velmira collapsed onto the wet ground — lifeless.
Emma snapped. Her scream turned to raw fury, and suddenly, flames began to rise from her hands. The man, startled, struck her hard across the head "Not now little girl" And she fell unconscious.
"Hurry! We need to find Caerion the traitor — now!" the other man shouted, as Emma faded into darkness, his voice echoing in her ears.