Despite their earlier argument, Ken and Dan sat side by side in the living room, as if nothing had happened. In front of them was a strange-looking wooden box with a curved design and a glowing blue crystal in the center. In Valoria, this device was called a "Radison"—a sound transmitter used to broadcast news and reports.
Akako, Masha, and Emily joined them, and everyone sat quietly as the Radison began to crackle with static. Soon, a deep voice came through:
Announcer: "Welcome to Ruby State's evening news… Unfortunately, tonight's updates are not easy. Official reports confirm that the army of the Kaji Kingdom, led by King Cirrus, has begun moving through the capital's borders. Large tanks were seen near the southern entrances, and warplanes have started flying over the suburbs. Are we on the edge of another war?"
Silence fell instantly. It was like the family's hearts froze. Their faces filled with worry and fear.
Ken (with a shaky voice): "Dad… does this mean we're at war?"
Akako (tense): "I hope not…"
Dan (angrily): "But why?! What does Cirrus' army want from us?!"
Masha (soft but tense): "They want to take Ruby and make it part of the Kaji Kingdom."
Emily (innocently): "Kaji… that sounds like our family name—Yukaji."
Dan (looking at her): "Didn't Dad tell you? We're not originally from Ruby. He came from there… from Kaji."
Emily (shocked): "What?!"
Ken (clenching his fists): "Who is this King Cirrus?! Why would he want to hurt us?! I'll never forgive him! I'm sure our army will beat him!"
The Radison faded into static. Akako stood up silently and walked toward the bedroom. Masha followed him. The children stayed behind, stunned. In the bedroom, Akako closed the door and sat heavily on the bed.
Akako (bitterly): "I can't believe this is happening… Does that bastard really plan to break the peace?"
Masha sat beside him and gently held his trembling hand.
Masha: "Cirrus… he's not just a king. With his power, he could burn an entire city in one strike. No one can stop him."
Akako (with tired eyes): "He's not just a king… he's my brother. And I… I'm still the exiled prince in their eyes."
Masha (softly): "And your children don't know anything… They don't know they're heirs of the Yukaji bloodline… or that their uncle is bringing war."
Akako closed his eyes, and his lips trembled as Masha spoke with a tearful voice.
Masha: "I'm scared, Akako… I don't want to lose you… or any of our children."
She threw herself into his arms and cried. He tried to look strong, but his shining eyes betrayed him. He hugged her tightly, clinging to a fragile hope in a world falling apart.
Akako (whispering): "Don't worry, my love… Our army will do its best."
A few days later…
Upstairs, the three kids sat in the playroom. They laughed a little, even though worry was creeping into their hearts. Suddenly, the door opened—Masha entered.
Masha (sad but firm): "My children… today they announced that the warplanes have entered the heart of the capital. Bombing can start at any moment. From now on, no one is allowed to leave. We stay together—if we die, we die together. If we survive, it's because we stayed strong."
Ken (worried): "But… what about Dad? Won't he go to work?"
Masha (hiding her fear): "Your father's case is different… he has to be there. His work is important."
A heavy silence followed. Then Emily burst into tears, hiding her face between her knees.
Emily (shaky voice): "Mom… are we going to die?!"
Masha (kneeling and hugging her): "We're not going to die, sweetheart… As long as we follow instructions and go to the shelters, we'll be okay. Don't be afraid."
The next day…
Masha sat in the living room next to the Radison. Ken walked in, hesitated, then spoke.
Ken: "Mom… please, can I go to Yoko's house? Just to play a bit."
Masha (firm and stressed): "No, Ken! You can't go out. It's too dangerous… The planes are flying over the city, soldiers are everywhere! A bullet could hit you, or someone could take you…"
Ken (insisting): "But I'll have to go out eventually. Schools will open in two weeks! Keeping me locked inside won't help!"
Masha (softly, confused): "I… I don't know…"
Before she could finish, a terrifying sound filled the air—it was the sound of warplanes dropping bombs. Ken jumped and clung to his mother in fear, his heart racing.
Ken (panicked): "What was that?! Mom… what is that sound?!"
Masha (hugging him tight): "The bombing has started!"
Ken (pressing into her chest, his voice shaking): "Mom… Mom, I don't want to die! I don't want to die today!"
Ken's hands were shaking as he held her shirt tightly. His breath was fast, and tears streamed from his eyes.
Masha (holding him, trying to stay strong): "You won't die, Ken… I'm here with you… I won't leave you…"
But Ken couldn't hear her—his mind was drowning in fear. The sounds of explosions grew louder, shaking the walls around them. For a moment, he imagined the roof collapsing and everything ending right there, before he ever lived his life.
Ken (whispers): "Is this the end? Am I going to die like this? Without doing anything? Without saying goodbye to anyone?"
Masha slowly raised her hand, gently stroked his shaking head, kissed his forehead warmly, and whispered like she was praying:
Masha: "This won't be your end, my son… You weren't born to die here. Just hold on to me…"
And in the echo of explosions, Ken clung to his mother as if she were the last thing left in the world.
Outside, the explosions kept coming—loud and close. The glass shook. The ground trembled. Emily was under her bed, crying and covering her ears. Dan sat on his bed with his back against the wall, his eyes wide, hands over his head.
In a dark room in a nearby house, 8-year-old Yoko stood next to her brother, her eyes full of tears.
Yoko (scared): "Brother! What's happening?!"
Her brother (pretending to be calm): "Don't be afraid, Yoko… Everything will be okay."
Back in Ken's house, an hour later, Akako returned with a grim look, his hand dirty with soil and his eyes empty. The family waited for him in the living room.
Akako (quietly): "Our neighbor Kamo… he and his whole family were killed today in the bombing. A bomb hit their house."
Masha (gasping, covering her mouth): "No way…!"
Ken (jumping up): "What about Yoko?! Is she okay?!"
Akako: "There's no news… but her home wasn't on the damaged list. I think they're fine."
Ken (running): "I'm going to her now!"
He ran out the door without waiting. Everyone was shocked.
Masha (to Akako): "Why didn't you stop him?!"
Akako (calmly): "Because he wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't check on her. And… her house is just behind ours. It's not far. I'm going to the store before the roads close. We need food… and soap…"
When Ken stepped outside… the air was full of smoke, and the sky screamed with the sound of planes. He froze. Half the neighborhood was rubble. Debris was everywhere. Fires burned wood and metal, and the smell of smoke, gunpowder, and fear choked the air.
Still, he ran as fast as he could, his heart pounding like war drums. When he saw Yoko's house still standing, he gasped like his soul returned to his body. In the yard, Yoko was stacking stones, trying to distract herself from the destruction around her.
Ken: "Yoko! You're okay?!"
Yoko looked up and smiled faintly in the chaos.
Yoko: "Yes, I'm okay… I'm glad you're still alive, Ken!"
Ken ran to her, tears in his eyes from relief.
Ken: "Don't die… Please, don't die! You're my only friend!"
Yoko (smiling, waving confidently): "Me? No way! I'll live a long time… We'll grow up together, and get married too! Deal?!"
Ken froze in place, his face turning red. Then he laughed shyly, looking away.
Ken (embarrassed): "W-what are you saying?!"
Before she could answer, the emergency siren screamed across the city. Yoko grabbed Ken's hand without thinking, her eyes now serious.
Yoko: "Come on! The school is now a shelter—we have to go!"
Ken (hesitating): "But… my family! What about Mom, Dad, Dan, and Emily?!"
Yoko: "They'll come later! We have to survive first—they know the way!"
The two kids ran, hand in hand, while planes roared above and smoke filled the air. The ground shook with each bomb—bringing them closer to the end… or to survival.
Back at the house, Akako was about to leave for the store when he heard the siren—and Masha's scream.
Masha (panicked): "Akako!!! Ken isn't here!!!"
Akako froze. He dropped everything, then shouted from the bottom of his heart.
Akako: "What?! No… it can't be… KEN!!!"
Masha: "Dan! Emily! We have to go to the shelter now!!"
Dan tried to hold back his tears, while Emily clung to her mother, crying in fear.
Emily (trembling): "Mom… Mom… I'm scared!!"
Masha: "Don't be afraid, sweetie… I'm here, we'll be okay, as long as we stay together…"
Suddenly, the door slammed open. Akako rushed out with a face full of fear and anger.
Akako (to himself): "I'm going to find Ken… I won't let him face this hell alone!"
He stormed outside, slamming the door behind him. Masha stood there hugging Emily, then slowly lifted her teary but determined eyes.
Masha (hoarsely): "Dan, get the emergency bag from the closet… we have to leave now!"
Dan ran to the closet and came back quickly, but he saw his mom moving slowly, shaking as she dressed Emily in her coat.
Dan (thinking as he watched her): "Mom… you're terrified… Please try to be strong… time is running out!"
Then Dan looked at the door, frozen, realizing his dad left without saying where he was going.
Dan (whispers): "Dad went to find Ken… but he's alone… What if he needs me? What if he doesn't find Ken in time?!"
His heart battled between staying and going. But it didn't take long. He looked at his mom, busy tying Emily's scarf while crying silently. Then he grabbed his coat, quietly opened the back door, and slipped out.
Dan (thinking): "I'm the big brother… I won't let Ken be lost alone. It's my responsibility!"
He closed the door softly and ran into the broken streets, through smoke and screams.
Meanwhile, Akako ran through the destroyed city, breathing hard, eyes scanning everywhere.
Akako (shouting through the chaos): "KEEEN!! Where are you, my son?! Please answer me!!"
His voice cracked from shouting, echoing through broken walls with no reply. He ran past covered bodies, debris, and blood that hadn't dried yet.
Akako (falling to his knees): "I'm… I'm a failure of a father… I let you go out on a day like this… How could I trust a child's words?!"
Ash fell on his dark red hair, and sweat ran down his face despite the cold wind. He lifted his head slowly and looked at the gray sky.
Akako (whispers): "I just hope… he went to the shelter with Yoko…"
Then he stood up again, clenched his fists tightly, and said with determination:
Akako: "I won't return home without Ken… I won't let myself be the reason he's lost."
To be continued…