Chapter 2: The Night We Lost Everything
Cairo's eyes darkened with fear and sorrow as his younger brother, Tatsuo, mentioned their past.
Four years ago…
Cairo was just eight. Tatsuo, only four.
One stormy night, their father, Gresh, came home drunk again. His rage exploded like wildfire. As always, he turned his fury on his wife, Lyna. But this time… it went too far.
Cairo hid behind the wall, peeking into the dimly lit room. His tiny fists clenched. His mother's screams echoed in his ears. Gresh slammed her against the wall, again and again.
"Stop it!" Cairo cried, running into the room. In a burst of courage, he picked up a pressure cooker and charged at his father.
But Gresh shoved him away.
Then, with blind rage, Gresh smashed Lyna's head against the wall.
Blood ran down her face—dark, slow, like water.
"Mama…?" Cairo whispered.
He stood frozen for a second… then snapped. He grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his father—once, twice, again and again—until the monster who ruined their lives lay silent.
He dropped the blade.
Tears blurred his vision as he crawled to his mother.
"Mama!!" Cairo screamed, shaking her body. "Wake up! Please!!"
But her breath was gone. Her heart had stopped.
Behind him, little Tatsuo entered the room, silent. He looked at the blood… his dead mother… his dead father… and said nothing.
Not a word. Just silence.
But something in his eyes… something deep and distant… didn't look like a normal child's anymore.
---
Now, in the present.
Cairo clenched his fists. "I should've killed that bastard long ago. Maybe Mama would still be alive."
Tatsuo placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Big brother… don't blame yourself. Mama's in our hearts. She's protecting us even now. That's why we've survived all this time, even as orphans."
Cairo turned to him with tears in his eyes and hugged him tightly.
That night, while they slept…
—Creak—
The front door opened.
Cairo remained in deep sleep, unaware.
But Tatsuo stirred. His eyes opened slowly.
Two men stood at the door. In their hands—blades and axes.
Before he could scream, they grabbed him.
Tatsuo struggled, but he was too small.
As they carried him away, he dropped his small silver watch on the floor… a signal only Cairo would understand.
---
Morning.
Cairo woke up.
"Hmm? Tatsuo?"
He checked every room.
"Tatsuo! Stop hiding. Come out! It's not funny!"
No response.
Then his eyes fell on the floor… the silver watch.
His breath caught.
His mind flashed back:
> "Tatsuo, if you're ever in trouble, drop this watch. I'll come find you." "Okay, big brother!"
Cairo froze. Six months had passed. He remembered what everyone feared:
The Demon. The one who came every six months… for a child.
"No… not him… not Tatsuo…"
He clutched the watch tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Did I lose you too, little brother…? What do I live for now…?"
He collapsed to the ground.
But then…
He stood.
"I'll find that demon. And if my brother's alive—I'll bring him back."
---
He ran to the Temple of Velmora, to Lord Tyran—the current Sun God.
"Lord Tyran! My brother—he's been taken! Please, help me!"
Lord Tyran's eyes narrowed, shocked. "What are you saying?"
"This demon took him. Like it takes others every six months!"
Lord Tyran looked uncomfortable. He hadn't ordered a sacrifice this time… nor had Moon Goddess Sarina.
"Boy," Tyran said slowly. "Tell me your names."
"I'm Cairo. My brother—his name is Tatsuo. He's only eight. He doesn't know anything yet… please…"
Tyran sighed. "We've tried to investigate these vanishings before. We never found the missing children. We stopped searching long ago. I suggest… you accept it. Perform a farewell ritual. Let him go."
Cairo fell to his knees, crushed.
But then a voice spoke up behind him.
"Don't give up, Cairo."
He turned.
A girl stood there—strong, confident. Her long white hair and golden eyes glowed faintly.
"I'm Lysendra. Daughter of Lord Tyran. Our village is strong. One day, we'll find that devil. But until then… you must stay strong."
Cairo looked at her and nodded, grateful. "Thank you."
He left the temple.
"I don't even have my brother's body. I can't give him peace… can't send him off… can't even say goodbye."
That night, walking alone under the moonlight…
A whisper touched his ear.
"I'm okay… big brother…"
Cairo stopped.
His eyes widened.
"…Tatsuo?"
His heart raced.
More questions burned in his mind.
Who took him?
Where is he?
How… is he still alive?
What if Tatsuo wasn't taken… but chosen?
---
End of Chapter 2: The Night We Lost Everything