Harman's War arc
Vilmora – Chapter 1: Weight on My Shoulders
Gorth Hurshane's phone blared like a siren. He smashed it silent, rubbed his eyes, and sat up.
Beside him, his eight-year-old nephew, Berrald, slept like the world didn't exist. Peaceful. Innocent. Fragile.
Gorth stared at him and felt the weight settle again—heavier than the morning sun.
Another day. Another fight for survival.
He dragged himself to the bathroom, the warm water shocking him awake. But it didn't wash away the thoughts—the sharp ones, the loud ones.
This wouldn't have happened if Mom and Sis were alive.
No… it started earlier. When their aunt kicked them out. When life decided they were nothing.
Gorth scrubbed his arms harder, wishing the pain in the water could reach the pain in his chest.
Life had been normal once. His mother working hard, his sister saving up for a car, laughter echoing through the house. Even cousin Unies—strict, annoying, but fun. They played soccer, argued over small things, but they were alive.
Then it shattered. Car accident. Funeral. Cold silence.
Left with nothing but R100,000 hidden from their aunt, they fled to Banavurlan, bought a tiny house, and rebuilt what little they could.
Three years later, the ache hadn't faded.
But he wasn't completely alone. Sernny Berlsy, Nerthnalos Daventer, Kenny Drimerl—friends who kept him from sinking completely.
He dressed quietly, woke Berrald, and made breakfast while the boy bathed. The morning sunlight cut across the dusty street like a warning he couldn't ignore.
School was supposed to be routine. But Gorth's mind raced. How do I make it in life? Education is crawling… I need real money. Fast.
Break time. Kenny slid over, grin stretching ear to ear.
"Yo Gorth, what's up?"
Gorth shrugged. "Same. When did you see Sernny and Nerth?"
"Yesterday. Nerth was busy. You wanna meet them later?"
Gorth nodded. Fridays off now… maybe we actually have a moment to breathe.
They walked to the shop for drinks, passing a girl hand-in-hand with another boy. Kenny leaned close, whispering, "Bro… she keeps looking at you. What actually happened?"
"Almost dated. Thought she was the one. She didn't care."
Kenny exhaled slowly. "I know your pain."
Evening. Gorth sprinted home to cook for Berrald. Passing a coffee shop, a man hunched over papers caught his eye. Exhaustion etched into every line of his face. Gorth's heart clenched.
If I ever get rich… I'll build a place like this. Free. For everyone.
Then he collided with a girl. Books scattered.
"Sorry! I wasn't looking."
"Don't worry. I wasn't either," Gorth said, smiling lightly.
Her eyes widened. "Who… who are you?"
"Gorth," he replied.
The girl's hands trembled. Her mind raced: Gorth Hurshane… Shane Movelent… Johman Luxek… criminals… murderers… protect… kill… Sebastian… fear… die…
She froze. She could barely breathe.
Gorth ran on, unaware of the storm he left behind.