The two girls had only been asleep for a few hours in the large bed. Rhitta was having a nightmare and started sweating and tossing in her sleep. Despite this, Rhosa remained peacefully asleep next to her. The nightmare Rhitta was having was about the recent events they had just experienced. Flashing images appeared in her dream.

  One image was of her mother’s maniacal expression as she fought the soldiers. Another was of her mother’s hand being blown off. These moments were deeply engraved in her mind and had scarred her. The movements from Rhitta eventually woke Rhosa, who gently grabbed Rhitta’s head and pulled it toward her chest.

  Even without being in the dream, she could understand what Rhitta was experiencing. It had been a traumatizing event for both of them—something they wouldn’t wish on anyone.

  Minutes passed, and as Rhosa held Rhitta close, her sister slowly began to calm down. Rhosa smiled softly and closed her eyes, drifting back to sleep.

  (The next morning…)

  Rhosa opened her eyes and yawned. Still tired, she rubbed her eyes to clear her vision. She looked over and saw Rhitta still asleep, resting peacefully. It was clear she wasn’t having another nightmare and was sleeping much better than the night before.

  Rhosa yawned again, got out of bed, and stretched. She walked over to the window, and the beaming rays of the sun shone directly into her eyes. She raised her arm to shield herself from the light.

  The view from their room was breathtaking. Rivers flowed through the land, and she saw countless buildings. It was a sight she had never seen before. The village she had come from was in the middle of nowhere. They had never witnessed a view like this.

  She saw people walking, talking, playing—living normal lives. To her, it felt like heaven.

  Excited, she rushed to Rhitta and began shaking her.

  “Rhitta! Rhitta, wake up!! You have to see this!” shouted Rhosa as she ran back to the window.

  Rhitta woke up quickly, still looking sleepy, but her senses were alert from the sudden awakening. She yawned and stretched, then walked over to where Rhosa stood. At first, the sunlight blinded her, but she rubbed her eyes and joined her sister by the window.

  “What is it?” Rhitta asked as she blinked rapidly. Then she saw it—the same view Rhosa had. Her eyes widened in awe.

  The scenery was beautiful. It was a sight they never could have imagined if they had stayed in the village.

  The girls smiled brightly and let out small giggles as they admired everything around them.

  The door creaked open, and Aniya walked into the room. She saw the two girls smiling at the window and let out a gentle chuckle. Seeing their joy reminded her of when she was a little girl.

  “Rhosa, Rhitta, good morning,” Aniya greeted with a warm smile.

  Both girls jumped, startled by her voice. They had been so focused on the view that they didn’t notice her enter.

  “I made breakfast if you’re hungry.”

  The girls lit up instantly. They were starving and had a feeling the food would be amazing.

  Aniya turned to leave, and the girls rushed to follow her. They were both in a much brighter mood than the day before. Aniya wanted to keep their minds distracted from the recent trauma, though she knew she couldn’t avoid it forever—not until she told them everything.

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  When they reached the kitchen, the girls let out a high-pitched squeal.

  At the table, which seated at least seven, were a variety of foods laid out on a long rectangular spread. There were fruits, vegetables, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, and several pitchers filled with water, apple juice, and orange juice. Aniya had gone all out to make their first day special.

  Rhitta and Rhosa ran to the chairs and sat down eagerly.

  Rhitta grabbed a waffle and stacked two pancakes on top of it. She added strawberries, bananas, and sliced apples on the side, paired with a glass of orange juice.

  Rhosa filled her bowl with sliced apples, pineapples, pears, and oranges. She also grabbed two pancakes and two biscuits, along with a glass of water.

  Aniya sat down while the girls ate. Thoughts swirled in her head—she wasn’t sure how to begin explaining everything. The information would change their lives forever.

  After the girls finished, they let out big sighs of satisfaction. Their stomachs were full, almost bloated. Aniya smiled at them, then her expression turned serious.

  “You both remember when I said I would tell you everything, right?” she asked.

  The girls nodded.

  Aniya snapped her fingers, and all the food on the table vanished as if it had been teleported away. The atmosphere in the room shifted immediately.

  Rhitta and Rhosa gasped as they looked around, trying to figure out where the food had gone—but it was completely gone.

  Aniya took a deep breath and began.

  “Your mother is still alive.”

  She held out her palm. In the center was a faint red symbol resembling the letter X.

  “Your mother and I made a contract that allows us to sense each other’s lives. Normally, the symbol glows red, but right now it’s very dim. That means her life is hanging on by a thread—but she’s still alive. If she were dead, the symbol would’ve vanished completely.”

  She paused, then continued.

  “Over sixteen years ago, your mother was pregnant with Deniz. She was extremely gifted with synergy. The leader of the sanctuary at the time used her to conceive children, hoping they would inherit her power—power that rivaled even the strongest in the world. A year later, she conceived two more children—both of you.”

  “She didn’t want that kind of life for any of you. So, she ran. If she hadn’t, you would have faced the same fate she did—maybe worse.”

  “Forte had been in contact with me long before she conceived either of you. We met on several missions and developed a close bond. That’s how we were able to make our agreement. But her escape was seen as desertion and treason. The order was clear: capture or kill her. They feared another sanctuary might take her and use her power.”

  “Eventually, with my help and the help of others, she managed to escape and settle in a remote village—your home.”

  “But they found her. That’s why the village was attacked. Despite everything, your mother is still alive. And I believe Deniz is too.”

  Rhitta and Rhosa’s sad expressions were gradually replaced by a flicker of hope. They couldn’t see their mother or brother now, but knowing they were alive brought relief. There was still a chance they could reunite one day. Rhosa’s expression was filled with determination.

  Aniya saw the shift in their faces and spoke again.

  “Now that you know the truth about your past, I’ll tell you about your future. What I’m about to share next will change your lives.”

  “You’ve seen it for yourselves—people with special powers. Your mother’s battle showed you that. That power is called synergy.”

  “Synergy is the innate energy within all living things. Humans, animals, plants, even insects—it lives in everything. It originated from the Big Bang—the same force that created the universe nearly 200 billion years ago. All matter, all stars, everything comes from that beginning.”

  “Because you’re human, you also have synergy within you. That means both of you can awaken and use it, just like me, your mother, and others. Sanctuaries are lands where synergy users gather to train and follow their ideals.”

  “We’re currently in the Sanctuary of Retaliation. Your mother and brother are in the Sanctuary of Devotion.”

  “There are seven sanctuaries, each led by a member of the Seven Suns—the strongest people in the world. These sanctuaries often clash in pursuit of power or control. However, if a global threat ever appears, they’ll unite to protect the planet. I believe one day, a catastrophic war will come that will change this world forever.”

  “I know this is a lot to take in, but things will become clearer once we begin training. Now that you understand the basics of synergy, of this world, and what may come, I’ll train you both to become fighters.”

  “Come with me. Your training begins today.”

  The girls sat in stunned silence, absorbing everything. While it was comforting to know their family was still alive, the world they were stepping into was beyond anything they could have imagined. Seven Suns. Seven Sanctuaries. A world built on power. It was all new—and terrifying.

  Maybe their lives would’ve been simpler in the village. But maybe… this was their destiny.

  Aniya stood and walked to a nearby door. Rhitta and Rhosa followed close behind.

  “I hope you’re both ready,” Aniya said as she opened the door.

  They stepped through, momentarily blinded by a bright light. When their eyes adjusted, they saw a vast garden filled with endless flowers.

  The door they had entered couldn’t have possibly led to a normal room. This place was too massive, too magical.

  In the center of the garden stood a gigantic brown building.

  “Follow me,” said Aniya as she began walking.

  The girls followed her, and after a few minutes, they reached the building. A large black door marked the entrance.

  “This is where I will train both of you.”

  Aniya pushed the door open, and they stepped inside.

  The training for Rhitta and Rhosa begins now.

  Will they be able to harness the power of synergy—or will it be too much for them to bear?