Year 2465
Arin Neverland sat in the silent, candlelit library, the golden lamplight casting soft shadows on the polished oak table in front of him. He stared at the faded pages of the leather-bound journal, his hands trembling slightly as he closed the book with care.
A look of disbelief sat on his face.
"So this is my ancestor…" he whispered. "The one who shaped the world into what it is now?"
His fingers brushed over the engraved name on the cover: Judas Neverland.
"I can't believe there was an era full of wars. And he… he was the one who stopped it all. The one who made peace possible." He smiled faintly. "It's the same surname… That means I really am his descendant."
Just then—
"Young master, young master!"
Arin jolted. The door to the library creaked open, and his maid, an older woman with a tired yet kind face, peeked inside.
"You're still in here?" she scolded gently. "You missed dinner again!"
"I'm not hungry," Arin mumbled, already rising from his seat. "I'm just… tired. I'll go to bed now."
Shaking her head, the maid sighed, but said nothing more as she closed the door behind him.
Arin clutched the journal tightly to his chest and returned to his room. He slipped under the covers and, with excitement bubbling inside him, opened the book once more.
---
Judas Neverland's Journal — Year 2186
The next day, they took me to the joint training camp.
Unlike my previous hell, this camp was enormous, structured, and… almost peaceful in comparison. The atmosphere, however, carried a tension that was hard to ignore. Everyone wore the same uniform, and none of us were allowed to reveal which House we came from.
I was told to rest for three days. Apparently, that strange man who brought me out of the pit arranged it. I remembered the crooked smile on his face when he said, "Enjoy it. These are your last peaceful days."
And he was right.
Because after that, everything would change again.
I found my room and collapsed onto the bed, letting the silence embrace me. That night, I didn't train. I didn't dream. I just… slept.
---
The next morning, I stepped into the dining hall, drawn by the scent of real food. I sat down and was handed a tray—fresh, hot, well-seasoned.
I took one bite—and tears spilled from my eyes.
It wasn't just good. It was warm, comforting, human.
The taste brought back memories—my family, my village, laughter around the dinner table. All gone. All destroyed by the war.
I cried and ate like a starving child. That meal was more than food. It was a reminder that I used to be human.
After breakfast, I decided to explore the camp. It was massive. I passed soldiers of all kinds—young, old, tall, short, even from other races. Everyone here was drafted for the same purpose. And no matter where they came from, they all shared one thing: the eyes of survivors.
Some already formed bonds—laughing, sparring, chatting.
It would've been nice if even one of my old friends had survived…
"Oye, Judas!"
I froze.
That voice.
I turned, a rare smile forming on my face.
"Senior?"
He grinned, arms crossed, that confident glint still in his eyes.
"Yeah. It's me. Surprised?"
"I thought you were still back at the hall," I said, stunned.
"Well, I could've gotten my 100th win anytime I wanted. Right after our fight, I challenged someone else—and won."
I laughed. "It's good to have you here."
"Stop calling me 'senior.' You've earned your place."
"But you never told me your name."
He scratched his head, embarrassed. "Right. That's my bad. It's Erwin."
"Well, Erwin," I said, "what do you think of this camp?"
"It's better than the pit, that's for sure. But if we're here… then that means the real war is close."
We were quiet for a moment.
Then Erwin smirked, nudging me. "Hey, let's not be all doom and gloom. Look over there—don't you think that girl's really pretty?"
I rolled my eyes. "Stop right there, Erwin. We're not here for that."
"Come on, lighten up—"
"She could be dead tomorrow."
He groaned. "You're a mood killer, you know that?"
We both laughed. The first laugh I'd had in months.
Eventually, we parted ways and returned to our rooms. The days slipped by, quiet and heavy. Then, finally, the day of the grand assembly arrived.
All soldiers were called to the central arena—thousands of us, standing in perfect formation under the open sky. The tension was suffocating.
On a raised platform stood six dignitaries—one from each Family. Each carried an aura of authority, cloaked in colors and crests of power. Below them, military commanders lined the stage, eyes cold and calculating.
One of them stepped forward. He had the sharpness of a blade in his posture and the command of a lion in his voice.
"Soldiers!" he bellowed, and the arena fell dead silent.
"The joint army of humanity is now assembled. From this day forth, we stand united—not as factions, not as soldiers from different Families, but as one species. The enemy is no longer each other. The enemy… is beyond the stars."
Gasps. Whispers.
"You are the chosen weapons in this new war. And today, the meeting of the army who will win against the alien threat....
Begins"
Back in the Present — Year 2465
Arin turned the page with wide eyes, breath held in awe.
"That's… how it all began," he whispered, heart pounding.
He clutched the journal to his chest.
"I can't stop now. I have to know everything…"
He flipped to the next page.
And continued reading.