Thomas was deep in thought on his way home. He passed a stretch of beach—maybe the perfect time to explain Eucadia, the magical island that holds humanity.
Eucadia sits surrounded by endless water called the Sea. It's a vast, donut-shaped island with a massive lake at its center, named Valentina. Most of the island remains unexplored: a rich rainforest brimming with untapped resources.
Beyond the Sea lies a monster called the Ocean, which devours all travelers who stray too far. Beyond the Ocean is the world's end—where nothing grows, nothing lives.
Thomas entered his brick house without greeting his grandmother, who lay in bed. He dropped his sword in a corner, grabbed a book from the shelf, and headed to his room.
"Tommy…" a frail voice called.
"What?"
"I think… I think my time has come."
"YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THAT SINCE LAST YEAR!"
"I'm serious, this— **cough, cough.**"
He paused at the door, annoyed but worried. His face stayed sour as he turned back to her.
"Tommy…"
"Yes?"
"I'm hungry. Get me a bowl of porridge."
"IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!" The pot sat within reach of her bed.
"I CAN'T— **cough, cough.**"
"Alright! Alright! Fine!" He stomped over and scooped her a bowl.
"Here."
"Thank you, Tommy." She accepted it with trembling hands.
"Tommy…" she called again before he could leave.
"What?"
"Open the window."
"THAT'S ALSO RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!"
"I'm drinking porridge," she said firmly, taking an exaggerated sip while glaring at him over the bowl.
"Ugh. Fine." He walked over unwillingly and pushed the windows open.
Just when Thomas thought he could finally get to his book— "Tommy…"
"Oh my fuckin' god, what now?"
"Go to work, you lazy prick."
"WHA— How dare you?!" Thomas shouted.
"You heard me…" She took another calm sip of porridge.
"LAZY?! LOOK WHOSE OLD ASS BEEN LYING IN BED FOR A YEAR, BARELY EVEN ABLE TO MOVE—AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN SICK!"
"I'm old, Tommy. Old and frail… and weak."
His sympathy kicked in. He sighed, gave up, and put the book down—picking up a pickaxe instead.
"Tommy." She stopped him at the door.
"WHAT?!"
"When I'm gone…" She pushed the bowl aside and picked up a small circular metal plate. "Listen to this…"
"Listen to what?"
She shook it. "This!"**Cough.**
"Listen to what?! Clink clank clink—I'm a round flat metal plate?"
She rolled her eyes. "Just listen to it when I'm gone… Where are you going?"
"…Mining. With Tyler." Thomas slammed the front door behind him.
Inside, his grandmother smiled faintly as she finished her porridge.
———
The woods of Eucadia were truly enchanting. Dense foliage surrounded every corner, and the evening's orange glow bathed the forest in warm light. It was a magical place — a paradise for wildlife to wander freely, like this carefree snow-white bunny, who—
**THUMP.**
—was brutally pierced through the heart by a sharp arrow, its final sound an agonized squeak.
"Yes!"
"Your aim has improved," Wilhelm's mother said approvingly.
"It's still nothing compared to yours, though."
"Yeah, well…" She took his arms, adjusting his archery posture. "Your shoulders need to be more squared, and hold the arrow a little higher."
"Ah…" Wilhelm grinned awkwardly. "Same mistake as last time. My slouched back really is a big problem, huh?"
"It's your confidence." She tapped his chest. "Do everything with your whole chest, you know?" Nicole Grimmer, his mother, teased.
"Alright…"
Nicole picked up the dead rabbit and dropped it into their basket. "Come on then — let's find another target."
———
"Shh…" Nicole gestured for Wilhelm to stay quiet. She had heard something rustling in the bushes up ahead.
They crept closer in careful steps, making sure not to make a sound that could startle their prey.
"Oh, hell yes…" Nicole whispered when she spotted it — a lone deer. Venison wasn't easy to come by in Eucadia.
"You take this one. I don't want to mess it up," Wilhelm offered, handing her the bow.
"No way, Will. You're taking it. I'll guide you."
"…Okay…" He was reluctant, but his "okay" carried some degree of confidence.
He drew the bow carefully as Nicole adjusted his posture again. He steadied his aim. One shot to the heart would drop the deer instantly — anywhere else and it would run.
"If you're confident with the aim, release it," Nicole whispered. Wilhelm took a deep breath, then—
**THUMP. WHOOOSH. THUMP.**
The deer cried out. It wasn't dead — the arrow had missed its heart.
"Shit," Wilhelm hissed as the wounded animal stumbled forward in a frantic attempt to flee. Nicole wasted no time.
She grabbed an arrow from Wilhelm's quiver and sprinted after it. Moving with practiced skill, she leapt over roots and bushes. With one powerful jump, she caught up and rammed the arrow straight into the deer's throat.
The deer let out a final cry before collapsing.
"Mom! You okay?" Wilhelm called out as Nicole rolled off the animal.
"Hahaha… YESSSS!" Nicole shouted with glee. "WE'RE EATING GOOD TONIGHT!"