The twin suns of Verdalia bathed the planet in golden light, casting long shadows through the endless greenery that spread across the land. The skies shimmered with hues of teal and violet, reflecting the harmony between nature and civilization. In the country of Alag, nestled in the heart of Green Cross Street, stood a breathtaking house—one seamlessly blended with nature. Vines adorned the walls, large windows opened to the vast expanse of rolling hills, and bioluminescent flowers pulsed faintly in the early morning glow.
Inside, a young boy lay curled up in his bed, wrapped snugly in his blanket. His raven-black hair sprawled across his pillow, contrasting against his pale skin. As the soft chirping of Verdalian birds filled the air, a firm yet gentle voice broke the morning stillness.
"Max, wake up! It's time for school!"
A warm hand shook the ten-year-old boy's shoulder. Max groaned and turned away from the voice, pulling his blanket over his head. His older brother, Warren Amberdunk, smirked and sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed. Unlike Max, Warren's skin had a deep green hue, a defining feature of Verdalians. His snow-white hair framed his sharp features, his golden eyes brimming with amusement.
"Come on, lazybones," Warren chuckled. "If you don't wake up, Mom's going to come in, and you know what that means."
Max peeked out from under the covers, eyes wide with mock terror. "Not the tickle attack!"
"Exactly." Warren smirked. "You have three seconds before I call her. Three… two…"
"Alright, alright! I'm up!" Max groaned, sitting up with a yawn. His small frame stretched as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Before he could say another word, Warren ruffled his hair.
"Good. Now get dressed."
Max rolled his eyes but smiled as his brother left the room. Despite being adopted into a Verdalian family, he had never once felt out of place. Warren was always protective, always looking out for him, and in moments like this, Max felt truly at home.
After a quick wash, he threw on his school uniform—a dark green tunic with silver embroidery and comfortable trousers. As he adjusted his sleeves, he took a moment to look in the mirror. Compared to Warren, he looked different in almost every way. But deep in his heart, this was his family. A grin spread across his face as he rushed out of his room.
The hall was bathed in morning light as he ran in, greeted by the scent of freshly baked bread and herbal tea. His mother, Tina, stood by the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Her emerald-green skin glowed under the sunlight, her wavy silver hair cascading over her shoulders. Her gentle smile was enough to warm the room.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she teased, setting a plate on the table. "Come eat before it gets cold."
Max beamed. "Morning, Mom!" He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. Tina laughed softly, hugging him back before guiding him to the table.
Sitting across from him was his father, Jason. A tall, broad-shouldered man with a quiet presence, Jason's deep scars hinted at a past filled with battles. His jade-colored skin had a slightly rough texture, and his silver eyes held an unreadable depth. Despite his intimidating appearance, his voice was always steady and calm.
"Did you sleep well, Max?" Jason asked, taking a sip of his tea.
Max nodded enthusiastically, stuffing a piece of bread into his mouth. "Yeah! Until Warren woke me up."
"You're welcome," Warren said, plopping down beside him and stealing a piece of fruit from Max's plate.
"Hey!" Max protested, making everyone chuckle.
Jason leaned back, a small smile touching his lips as he observed the exchange. "Eat quickly. You don't want to be late for school."
Max's eyes sparkled with excitement. He loved school, even if he was the only human there. His classmates were different, their skin in shades of blue, green, and even golden hues, yet they had always treated him as one of their own.
As breakfast continued, the warmth of family filled the house, a beautiful contrast to the mysteries that loomed in the shadows of Verdalia. For now, though, Max was simply a ten-year-old boy enjoying the love of his parents and the ever-watchful care of his brother.
Little did he know, his journey was only beginning.
The cool morning breeze carried the scent of Verdalian blossoms as Max and Warren stepped outside. The streets of Alag were unlike any other—paved with smooth, luminescent stones that absorbed the twin suns' energy, creating a soft golden glow beneath their feet. Hovering platforms and bridges seamlessly connected different levels of the city, blending into the towering trees and lush greenery. Bioluminescent vines twisted around buildings, pulsing with life as they purified the air.
Parked at the end of their street was the school bus—if it could even be called that. The massive, sleek vehicle was a masterpiece of Verdalian engineering, its body made of a shimmering, plant-infused alloy that naturally repaired itself. Large, transparent panels allowed for a panoramic view of the city, while the engine, powered by solar and bio-energy, emitted no pollution. Floating just above the ground, the bus hummed with a soft, rhythmic pulse, as though it were alive.
Warren turned to their parents, giving them a quick, casual salute. "See you later, Mom, Dad."
Jason gave a slow nod, his unreadable silver eyes lingering on his son for a moment longer than usual. "Be safe."
Tina smiled warmly at Max, kneeling slightly to cup his face. "Have a great day, sweetheart."
Max grinned. "I will! Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!"
As he and Warren walked toward the bus, Max hesitated for a split second. Jason was watching him, his expression calm but distant. There was something about his gaze—something deep, something layered. But before Max could think about it too much, Warren nudged him forward.
"Hurry up, slowpoke."
They boarded the bus, where soft, vine-woven seats adjusted automatically to fit each passenger. The walls were lined with living plants that provided fresh air, and subtle, glowing runes pulsed along the ceiling, regulating temperature and lighting.
As soon as Warren stepped in, a voice called out. "Warren! Over here!"
A girl with deep green skin, long flowing silver hair, and striking amber-colored eyes waved at him from the middle row. She had the same Verdalian features as Warren, exuding confidence and grace. Dressed in the same school uniform, she had a presence that was both elegant and sharp, her gaze full of warmth.
Jasmine.
Warren gave Max a small nod before heading toward her. "Looks like I'm sitting with Jasmine today," he said, smirking slightly.
Max rolled his eyes but smiled. "Yeah, yeah. Go be a lovesick puppy."
Warren laughed before sliding into the seat beside Jasmine, who leaned in to whisper something that made him chuckle.
Max, now on his own, turned to find his usual seat. That's when he heard an energetic voice from behind.
"Max, my man! Over here!"
Max turned to see Rure—a boy with greenish golden skin that seemed to glimmer under the sunlight. His hair was a wild, spiky mess of fiery red, and his eyes practically sparkled with excitement. Unlike Max, who preferred to stay quiet, Rure was always buzzing with energy, talking at a mile a minute and never staying still for too long.
Max sighed playfully and made his way over. "Morning, Rure."
"Morning? My guy, it's not just a morning—it's an adventure waiting to happen!" Rure grinned as Max sat beside him. "Did you see that new hover-dragon model in the city square? I heard it's got an AI that actually learns your flying style and adapts! I swear, if I had the credits, I'd buy one today."
Max chuckled. "You and your hover-dragons."
"You just don't appreciate top-tier engineering!" Rure said dramatically, before nudging Max. "Oh, by the way, I heard we're getting a new lesson on intergalactic history today. Think we'll learn more about the 12 Ancient Tribes?"
Before Max could answer, the bus stopped again, and another group of students climbed aboard. Among them was a familiar face—another one of their classmate
As the bus hovered smoothly over the streets of Alag, it made another stop, allowing a new group of students to step aboard. Among them was a familiar face—Jimmy.
Jimmy was different from Rure in almost every way. Where Rure was loud and bursting with energy, Jimmy was calm and methodical. His deep green skin had a faint shimmer to it, his short white hair neatly combed, and his hands were always a bit stained with soil from his passion—farming.
"Morning, Jimmy!" Max greeted as his friend took the seat beside him.
Jimmy nodded, his voice steady. "Morning, Max. Rure." He adjusted his backpack before glancing out of the window. "Did you know that the soil in Alag has a higher concentration of life energy than anywhere else on Verdalia? That's why the plants grow so fast here."
Rure groaned. "And here I thought we'd go at least five minutes without a farming fact."
Max chuckled. "I think it's cool."
Jimmy smiled slightly before turning back to them. "Speaking of plants, are we still meeting near the Great Tree this evening?"
Max's eyes brightened. "Yeah! I was just about to ask. Let's play there after school."
Jimmy nodded. "The Great Tree of Heavens is over forty feet tall. You can see it from kilometers away! It's one of the rarest trees on Verdalia. Some people say it has been here since the beginning of our civilization." His voice held admiration, his passion for nature evident.
Rure smirked. "Yeah, yeah, it's a big tree. But can it fly?"
Jimmy rolled his eyes. "Not everything needs to fly, Rure."
Before their conversation could continue, the atmosphere in the bus shifted. The doors slid open once more, and heavy footsteps echoed as another student entered.
Jones.
Unlike the others, Jones carried an air of arrogance, his dark green skin slightly more rugged in texture, a rare trait among Verdalians. His amber eyes scanned the bus until they locked onto Max, and a sneer crossed his lips.
"Well, well, if it isn't the little human," Jones drawled, making sure his voice was loud enough for the others to hear. "Still pretending you belong here, huh?"
Max stiffened, his fingers gripping the edge of his seat. He wasn't the type to fight back—he never had been. He believed in kindness, in understanding. But Jones never seemed to care.
Rure, however, leaned forward, his usually playful expression replaced with something sharper. "Back off, Jones."
Jones scoffed. "Oh, what? The nerd's gonna protect him?" He stepped closer, looking down at Max. "Why don't you just leave Verdalia? You don't belong here."
Before Max could say anything, Rure stood up. Though he loved technology and science, Rure wasn't weak. He had spent years training in combat as part of the standard Verdalian education, and right now, that training showed.
"You talk a lot," Rure said coolly. "But I don't think you can back it up."
Jones hesitated. He knew Rure wasn't afraid to fight. Still, he scowled, muttering under his breath, "Tch. Whatever."
Just when it seemed like the situation was over, another voice cut through the air.
"What's going on here?"
Warren.
Jones turned, and his confidence immediately wavered. Warren stood tall, his golden eyes sharp, his usually relaxed posture now firm. Unlike Max, Warren had the kind of presence that demanded attention.
"Nothing," Jones muttered, trying to play it off.
Warren took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "You sure? Because it sounded like you were talking nonsense."
Jones gulped. His bravado was gone, and before he could stop himself, his eyes welled up with tears. He wiped them away quickly, trying to hide it, but the damage was done.
"I-I'm telling my big bro, Skull!" Jones blurted out.
Warren didn't even flinch. "Skull?" He smirked. "No problem. He's my age. I'll handle him if he wants to cause trouble."
Jones hesitated again, then turned and stomped toward his seat, his pride wounded.
Before anything else could happen, a soft chime rang through the bus. A panel slid open from the upper section, and a figure descended—a Verdalian woman, draped in elegant yet functional robes. Their bus teacher.
Her calm gaze swept over the students before she spoke. "Fighting among yourselves is pointless. Do you not see the state of the universe?" Her voice carried wisdom beyond her years. "Verdalia may be rich in nature, but we are not strong. The other empires see us as weak, easy to take advantage of. If we cannot stand together, how do you expect us to survive?"
The bus was silent.
She sighed. "Think before you act. We are all Verdalians—regardless of background. That is all."
With that, she returned to the upper section, leaving the students to their thoughts.
Max exhaled slowly. Rure patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about Jones. He's all talk."
Max nodded, offering a small smile. He knew he wasn't brave like Warren or strong like Rure.
Amburdunk Household
Back at the Amburdunk household, the morning sun bathed the lush surroundings in a golden hue. The wind carried the scent of fresh soil and blooming flora, a signature of Alag's abundant greenery. Inside the house, Tina stood by the entrance, her arms crossed, watching Jason as he adjusted the straps of his travel satchel.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay for lunch?" Tina asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Jason, his tall frame relaxed yet unwavering, glanced at her with a small smirk. "Tom doesn't wait for anyone. If I'm late, he'll scold me like I'm still a young recruit."
Tina chuckled, shaking her head. "That old man can barely stand without his cane, yet he still terrifies even the strongest Verdalians."
Jason exhaled, his expression turning more serious. "There's a reason he's led Alag for so long. And with the way things are going in the universe, we need his wisdom more than ever." He adjusted the straps again, then met Tina's gaze. "I'll be back by nightfall. Make sure Warren doesn't start any trouble while I'm gone."
Tina scoffed. "You should be more worried about Max. If trouble finds him, Warren will level a building."
Jason chuckled, stepping forward to kiss her forehead. "I'll be back soon."
With that, he stepped out, leaving behind the warmth of home as he made his way toward the heart of Alag.
Alag Country Head Office
The Alag Country Head Office stood as a grand structure woven into the very essence of nature. Massive vines entwined with stone walls, forming an intricate balance between civilization and the wild beauty of Verdalia. The office was not just a building; it was a living entity, a symbol of Verdalian harmony.
Jason stepped inside, the familiar scent of polished wood and aged scrolls filling the air. The hall was quiet, save for the rustling of paperwork and murmurs of officials discussing governance matters.
At the very end of the chamber sat an elderly Verdalian on an ornate chair. Tom, the 160-year-old leader of Alag, was a relic of a time long past—his deep green skin had begun to lose its luster, wrinkles lined his face, and his once-mighty frame was now slightly hunched. Yet his eyes, sharp and golden, held the weight of centuries of wisdom.
"Jason," Tom greeted, his voice rough but commanding. "You're late."
Jason smirked slightly. "Only by a few minutes."
Tom chuckled dryly. "A few minutes can decide the fate of a nation." He leaned forward. "Come. We have much to discuss."
Jason nodded, stepping forward as the doors behind him silently closed.
The winds outside carried whispers of an uncertain future. And as the twin suns of Verdalia shone upon the land, Jason knew—change was coming.