On the edge of a bustling city, in one of its poor neighborhoods, stood a building that resembled an old school. Despite the city's noise, the place was strangely quiet. In one of the corners, only the voice of an old teacher could be heard, occasionally interrupted by the curious, enthusiastic voices of boys.
"Teacher! Can we become Horizon Walkers?"
The excited voice of a boy rang through the classroom.
The old man sat by the window, facing a group of children, none older than ten. He looked at the boy who asked the question, sighed a little, then said in a calm voice:
"Only the Chosen can cross into the Horizon. But it's not a bad thing... You can have a peaceful, normal life away from the horrors there."
The boy replied enthusiastically:
"But I want to be a Horizon Walker!"
"Me too!"
"Horizon Walkers are awesome!"
Voices rose in the classroom. Amid the noise, a girl with short white hair that softly framed her face sat quietly, giving her an aura of innocence. Despite her small features marked by a harsh life, the warmth of her smile was evident.
She asked in a soft voice:
"Teacher, is it true that only the Chosen can hear the sound of the Horizon?"
The old man smiled gently and replied:
"It's called the Horizon ringing. It rings once a year, and when someone hears it fifteen times... they're transported to the Horizon."
The girl's face lit up, then she asked:
"So, does that mean that those who never hear it will never be transported?"
He looked at her with interest and asked:
"Lia, do you have someone close who just turned fifteen?"
Lia smiled as if she remembered something beautiful:
"My brother... He just turned fifteen recently."
The old man reassured her:
"Don't worry. As long as he's never heard it before, he'll be fine."
Lia let out a relieved sigh, as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
At that moment, at the entrance of the school, a teenage boy with messy black hair and calm dark eyes stood, examining the place quietly. He looked at his watch, which appeared more advanced than his surroundings, and said:
"Looks like I arrived early."
The school bell rang, and the children started flowing out toward their homes. From a distance, he spotted a group of girls approaching, among them a girl with short white hair who waved at him.
"Brother!"
She ran toward him and stopped in front of him, glaring slightly:
"Seems like you didn't forget the appointment!"
The boy smiled and looked at her with warm eyes:
"How could I forget my beautiful little sister's birthday?"
Lia snorted and shook her head:
"Didn't you forget it last year?"
The boy coughed awkwardly and replied playfully:
"By the way... shall we go to the cake shop next to the station?"
Her face lit up as if she forgot everything:
"If you insist... your beautiful little sister will accompany you!"
He laughed, extended his hand, she took it, and they walked together through the crowd toward the city center.
---
The crowd thickened as they moved away from their neighborhood, accompanied by the sounds of vendors, children's cries, and the many scents of food wafting through the air.
Lia walked beside her brother, holding his hand tightly, her face reflecting a mix of caution and worry, unlike previous times.
"Brother..." she said in a low tone, "You... have never heard the Horizon ringing before, right?"
He turned to her, surprised, then smiled reassuringly:
"No, I've never heard it. Why do you ask?"
Lia looked down at the ground, her fingers tightening around his hand.
"Because the teacher said that those who haven't heard it before turning fifteen... will never be taken to the Horizon. I'm glad you haven't heard it."
He stopped for a few seconds, looked at her silently, then gently squeezed her hand:
"I'm fine, Lia. No need to worry. Today is only about your birthday."
She forced a smile:
"Right... the cake!"
---
They finally arrived at a small shop at the corner of a side street. Its glass front was filled with colorful cakes arranged neatly. They had never been inside before, but its cute look had always caught Lia's attention.
Seil pushed the wooden door, which gave off a light chime. The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with tied gray hair, looked up at them. Surprise flashed across her face but was quickly replaced by a kind smile:
"Welcome... First visit, right?"
Seil nodded:
"Yes, my sister is celebrating her birthday today."
She pointed to the seats by the window:
"Excellent choice. Have a seat and I'll prepare something special."
Lia sat watching the cakes through the glass with a distant look, then said:
"Imagine if someone disappeared suddenly... without warning. Isn't that scary?"
Seil replied :
"But I haven't disappeared yet, right?"
She paused, then gave a faint smile:
"Right... maybe I'm overthinking."
The shopkeeper brought them two decorated cakes with smooth cream and small candles. Seil lit the candles and gestured to her:
"Come on... make a wish."
She closed her eyes and whispered to herself.
"What did you wish for?" Seil asked.
She replied with a mysterious smile:
"Secret!"
He laughed, used to his sister's whims. They shared the cake in a peaceful, quiet atmosphere.
---
On the way back, the sun began to set, and the noisy streets started to calm. Between the old buildings and the golden light, everything seemed to drift away...
They reached a three-story building, ordinary like its neighbors. They climbed the stairs and stopped at the apartment door on the first floor. Seil pulled out the key, but didn't need it, as the door opened from inside with a soft feminine voice saying:
"Seil? You're back already?"
An elderly woman in her sixties stood before them, with long white hair and a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with intelligence.
"We're back, Grandma."
Lia said.
Seil noticed a trash bag in her hand and took it gently:
"I'll throw this out and be right back."
She smiled helplessly:
"Alright, dinner will be ready when you return."
Then turned to Lia:
"Want to help me prepare dinner?"
She answered eagerly:
"Let's do it! I'll cook you the best dinner you've ever tasted!"
Seil laughed, powerless, then closed the door and went down.
---
As he walked through the street, his ears caught scattered conversations, all revolving around one topic:
"Did you hear? The Horizon ringing will sound tonight!"
"My friend's son disappeared during the last ringing!"
"Thank goodness I'm not Chosen."
"I don't want to see those terrifying monsters..."
Seil was surprised as he passed by them.
"Has a year passed already?"
Seven hundred years ago, a sound ringing across the Origin Planet. Only the Chosen could hear it. Hearing it might grant you gloryor throw you into the jaws of a terrifying beast.
At first, most Chosen met the latter fate. But over time, humans adapted to the Horizon, and it became safer for new entrants.
Whether it's a curse or a blessing... the Horizon gives you a choice.
Seil shook his head:
"At least, this has nothing to do with me."
He had just turned fifteen and had never heard the ringing. All he wanted was to improve the lives of his sister and grandmother, who had cared for them despite not being related by blood.
He sighed... No one knew whether it was a sigh of relief or regret.
---
He returned to the apartment. Lia was setting the table, and he walked toward the bathroom. The apartment consisted of three rooms and a kitchen connected to a small living room, suitable for three people.
After washing up, he sat at the table with his grandmother and Lia.
"Thank you for the food."
The meal wasn't fancy, but it was warm. A kind hand had prepared it, carrying a genuine, homely feel.
"How was your day?"
Elora asked.
Lia began telling her day non-stop, while Seil enjoyed his meal, content just listening and watching his only family interact.
After dinner, he helped his grandmother clean and wash the dishes. When finished, he found her sitting in the living room, knitting something.
"Have you decided which college you'll join?"
Her voice echoed in the room.
Seil had recently graduated. Despite their financial situation, he had managed to finish one of the best high schools, which could give him a chance to enter a prestigious college.
But the truth? He didn't want that.
"I still have three months... we'll think about it later."
He replied, avoiding her gaze.
The grandmother sighed as if expecting this answer:
"Alright... we'll plan later."
Seil forced a smile. He knew his grandmother understood what he was thinking. Don't be fooled by her appearance—she was a clever old fox.
"I'm going to sleep. Good night."
He said as he headed to his room.
"Good night."
She replied.
At the door, Lia peeked from her room:
"Good night, and thank you for today."
He smiled, patted her head:
"No need to thank me. It's every big brother's duty."
Then he gave her one last look and said:
"Good night, Lia."
He entered his room, closed the door, and threw himself onto the bed.
He stared at the ceiling...
And it wasn't long before he drifted into the world of dreams.
The world was still drowned in the shadows of silence, and the sky had yet to release its first threads of light. Within the quiet walls of his room, Seil lay still, surrounded by the deceiving calm of a peaceful night... when it happened.
The sound ringing.
Not an ordinary bell, but a deep, colossal toll that first crept in as a tremor in the bones, then surged as a wave shaking the very void. It wasn't just coming from outside... it came from within.
His eyes snapped open in terror. His chest quivered, and every cell in his body pulsed as if awakened from a slumber that had lasted for centuries.
"Dooooom... Doooooom..."
The bell's echo was not just a sound—with every toll, he shook, feeling his body resonate with the vibration.
He rose slowly from the bed, cold sweat soaking his brow. The room itself felt different. The shadows on the walls seemed deeper. The air was heavier, as if something else was breathing with him in the same space.
The Bell of the Horizon...
No training. No warning... and yet, he heard it.
There was an aura on the horizon... unseen, but felt. An unspeakable grandeur, an ambiguous majesty, as if the very universe paused for a moment to let this bell toll.
Seil raised his hand toward the window. He didn't know what awaited him, but his heart whispered the truth:
"He had been chosen."
And suddenly, in a single moment, Seil vanished from the room—
All that remained... was silence.