Chapter 2 :
On the western side of the Central Land, where the majestic and ancient race of centaurs lived in tightly knit herds, a pair of hybrid siblings had just received an invitation that could change their fate.
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"Doniglao! Wake up! We have an appointment today, remember?" Ariane called from downstairs, her tone sharp with urgency.
A muffled voice groaned from above.
"Ugh… I don't want to go, Sistah. I'm exhausted," Don mumbled.
But Ariane was already bounding up the wooden staircase. Without hesitation, she entered the bathroom, grabbed the extendable hose connected to their ancient faucet, dragged it out of the room—
—and unleashed a cold torrent of water directly onto her brother's bed.
"I've called you dozens times already! This is me helping you be productive!" she shouted as Doniglao yelped under the icy blast.
"Ah! Cruel! You're cruel, dear sister!" he cried, leaping from the soaked bed.
Ariane tossed the hose aside, her face flushed—not just with irritation, but sadness too.
"Ever since Mother left us… you've been lazy, stubborn, and lost in your own despair," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
Doniglao blinked, startled by the pain in her voice. He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and began to shift—his form expanding and twisting as he transformed into his centaur form, his equine body rising beneath him.
"Fine. I'm coming with you," he said solemnly.
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They were halfbloods—children born of a human father they never knew, and a centaur mother who had vanished years ago. Neither the centaur clans nor human societies accepted them fully. They were outcasts—different, unwanted, and yet… determined to matter.
Five centaurs from their region had been nominated to apply for B Empire's new elite unit—one of them, their cousin Kurosawa, had been bullied his entire life for his differences.
As Don and Ariane prepared to leave, she gently held her brother's face, looking into his eyes.
"Listen, Don… one of us needs to be chosen. Just one. That's enough to change everything."
He nodded, more serious now. "I understand, Sistah."
"I want us to be seen—truly seen. By our people. By our father—wherever he is. Maybe… maybe even our mother will return if she sees that we're worthy."
Ariane's voice quivered with emotion, her hands trembling. "Do you understand what I'm saying, Doniglao?"
Don took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I am valuable. I am worthy. And I will overcome whatever stands in my way."
Ariane smiled with pride. "That's the spirit. Now shift and let's move."
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Ten minutes later, Ariane was gathering their identification papers and paperwork for the interview while Don rifled through their supplies.
"You should eat before we leave," she said.
"Hmph. No more wine?" Don asked, peering into the pantry.
"I'll buy you some after the interview, assuming we don't embarrass ourselves," she said without looking up.
"Ah, cruel again," Don muttered, though there was a glint of mischief in his eyes.
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Centaurs thrived on meat, bread, and strong wine. This specific diet was said to enhance their energy and—if consumed in balance—trigger the Golden Hair Phenomenon: a rare transformation where their hair turned to radiant gold, signifying maturity, strength, and divine blessing. Those with golden hair could harness wild energy—and, in legend, grant wishes.
It was said that if one collected enough golden strands, they could achieve immortality.
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As the siblings stepped outside into the crisp morning air, Don grinned.
"Let's race. First one to the B Empire gates wins… and the loser has to clean the grain stall this week."
Ariane raised an eyebrow. "You still want to get embarrassed?"
"Are you scared?" Don taunted.
"Absolutely not. Let's go."
One… Two… Three—GO!
And just like that, they were off—hoofbeats pounding, bodies darting between trees and low hills. Racing was their ritual, their bond. Normally, Ariane always won… but today, something unexpected happened.
Doniglao surged ahead, hooves thundering across the open land, and for the first time—he crossed the finish line first.
"YES! I won! Finally!" Don cheered, panting, his arms raised.
Creatures and beings gathered outside B Empire turned to look at the triumphant centaur. Ariane caught up seconds later, shaking her head in disbelief.
"You got lucky. But it's fine—I brought everything," she said, handing over the documents and laughing.
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Suddenly, several Ogre security guards approached the gates.
"This entrance is for guests only. All applicants must report to the rear of the building," one of them announced with a deep growl.
Don and Ariane nodded and followed the guards, making their way to the rear—where a massive line of applicants snaked around the complex.
Don's attention was drawn to a green-haired young man who stood near the middle of the line. Something about him stood out—his presence, or perhaps his energy.
Don approached.
"Hey there—I'm Don," he said, offering a handshake.
The young man turned with a smile. "Solla. Good to meet you."
"I'm Ariane, his sister," she added.
Her eyes briefly scanned the tag pinned to Solla's jacket—#1022.
"Oh wow," she said. "We're #1024. I thought we got here early!"
Don chuckled. "See, Sistah? Even early birds get beat. Others were already waiting."
Just then, an Ogre officer raised his voice through a megaphone:
"All applicants, please form a single line and refrain from loud conversations or shouting. This is a professional setting. You are here to impress, not to disappoint."
The applicants quickly quieted down. The line continued to grow.
Three strangers—Solla, Don, and Ariane—now stood side by side, each from different lands, each carrying hope, pain, and ambition in their hearts.
They had no idea that destiny had already begun to intertwine their paths.
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TO BE CONTINUED…