Chapter 35: Years Ago

**Chapter 35: Years Ago** is the 35th chapter to be released in the *Rise of Izuzunu* series, written by AkaByeolz.

## Link

https://www.webnovel.com/book/rise-of-izuzunu\_21578401805697905/chapter-35---years-ago\_60742097459800260

## Synopsis

Mark at six years old faces a traumatic experience with his family when the Attack on Kujukaeya struck in the middle of the night.

## Summary

### 10 Years Ago: December 3, 2023

Ten years ago, six-year-old Mark woke up to his sister Mia and brother urging him to train with their father. Mark aspires to become a warrior in the Kujukaeya Military. Despite the early hour, he excitedly gets up, yawns, and enthusiastically joins his family for training with a big smile. Mark Flamedew, at six years old, is the second oldest in his family, with an eight-year-old brother named Ben and a five-year-old sister named Mia. Their mother works as a chef, and the family frequently visits the restaurant where she works. Mark's father, a former warrior in the Kujukaeya Military, trains Mark in sword fighting. Despite Mark's enthusiasm, his father emphasizes the importance of learning the basics. After a month of training, Mark becomes frustrated, but his father encourages him not to give up. During their practice, Mark attempts a move and almost succeeds but ultimately gets knocked down. Despite feeling discouraged, Mark's father motivates him, and the family looks forward to attending a festival together that night.

Mark, along with his family, arrives at the festival in a carriage. Mia asks about the origin of Kujukaeya, and Mark clarifies that the calendar started 789 years ago. Excitedly, the family disembarks and explores the vibrant festival. They admire people in traditional clothing and decide to play a game called Ball in Hoop, similar to basketball. Ben proposes a game, and Mark is initially uninterested. However, when their dad promises a trip to Feiburg Kingdom if Mark participates, Mark agrees. The father engages in a pinky promise, and Mark gets ready for the basketball game, cheered on by his enthusiastic parents. In the basketball game at the festival, Mark initially misses a shot, allowing his brother Ben to score. Determined, Mark declares that his next shot will be successful, and he makes it into the hoop, earning cheers from his family. Ben scores another point, securing the big toys, while Mark receives a small teddy bear. The family enjoys various festival activities, including playing games, catching goldfish, indulging in sweets, and watching fireworks. Exhausted but content, Mark falls asleep quickly when they return home after a day of fun.

Mark's peaceful morning is abruptly interrupted by a bomb explosion, signaling an attack on his home. His family evacuates as their house burns, and missiles destroy their surroundings. The atmosphere turns terrifying, and Mark, witnessing the destruction, is filled with fear. His family, including Mia and Ben, rushes to escape on a horse-drawn carriage. In the chaos, Mark spots Phoenix's family, witnessing Phoenix being injected with a memory-wiping fluid. As Usagian troops approach, chaos ensues, and Phoenix's parents are brutally killed. Mark's dad shields him from the gruesome scene. The family seeks refuge in an alley, and Mark, traumatized and terrified, questions the reason behind the horrifying events. Despite the fear, Mark's dad urges him not to be scared, emphasizing the resilience needed to become a warrior. Facing the destruction of their home, Mark's family races toward the breached walls of Kujukaeya Kingdom to escape. The sky is filled with ashes and missiles. Upon reaching the broken wall, they witness a massive explosion with red dragon figures in the sky, referred to as "oshir." Mark's dad insists they go, but he stays behind to fight for the kingdom. The family is spotted by Usagian troops, and Mark's dad injects him with a syringe before urging him to run. Mark blacks out and flees into the forest. Meanwhile, Mia and Ben are tackled by guards, and thrown into a carriage, and Mark falls to the ground, exhausted and unconscious in the forest.

### December 4, 2023

Mark wakes up in an unfamiliar room and is told by an elder that they found him near Kujukaeya, but he seems to have lost his memory. Mark is confused and doesn't remember anything about his past. The elder suggests he rest, sensing he went through a difficult time in Kujukaeya. When Mark asks about Kujukaeya, the elder dismisses it as nothing. However, when Mark expresses his memory loss, the elder suspects it might be due to a memory-wiping fluid. She reassures Mark that they are his new family and hints at the ongoing war.

## Information

* Mia Flamedew, Ben Flamedew, Henry Flamedew, and Karen Welgua are the Flamedew family.
* The Kujukaeya Military is Kujukaeya's military force.

## Characters in summary

* Mark Flamedew
* Mia Flamedew
* Ben Flamedew
* Henry Flamedew
* Karen Welgua
* Phoenix Flamedew