A loud yawn echoed through the small, cold room as Reed's father stretched and scratched his stubbled chin. His bleary eyes scanned the room before resting on his wife, who was folding a patchwork quilt.

"Where's Reed?" he asked, yawning again.

"He headed out early," she replied without looking up. "Probably writing those notes again."

"Notes?" His brows furrowed.

"Yeah, he's been studying swordsmanship," Jade piped up, sitting cross-legged by the fireplace, polishing a carving knife. "I think he's too shy to ask you to teach him."

Reed's father blinked, then grinned. "Well, that settles it. Let's surprise him with a wooden sword today."

Jade's eyes lit up, her face breaking into an eager smile. "I'll find the best stick to carve!" She sprang to her feet, hugging her father briefly before rushing out the door.

In the bustling market square, Reed stood in front of a street vendor's stall, staring at a small, chipped skinning knife. His fingers tightened around the eight copper coins in his palm.

"How much for this?" he asked, voice steady but soft.

"Ten copper," the vendor replied without looking up.

Reed frowned, glancing between the knife and his meager savings. "I only have eight."

The vendor scoffed, shaking his head. "Come back when you've got enough. What do you expect me to do?"

Before Reed could respond, a gentle voice interrupted.

"Here, take these."

Reed turned to see a girl holding two copper coins. Her golden hair shimmered like sunlight, and her warm smile revealed flawless teeth. Around her neck hung a pendant depicting a knight holding a spiked mace-the crest of House Mina.

"Lady Cassie!" The vendor's demeanor shifted instantly. He straightened, voice respectful. "Please, take your money back. I'll give it to him for eight copper."

Snatching Reed's coins, the vendor shoved the knife into his hand. "Here, take it."

Reed quickly pocketed the knife, pulling up his hood to obscure his face. Before Cassie could say another word, he muttered a quick "thank you" and hurried away.

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The vendor sighed and turned to Cassie, his tone oily. "Ignore him, Lady Cassie. Kids these days have no respect." He caught himself, eyes widening. "But not you, of course. You're wise and mature beyond your years!"

Cassie frowned, her gaze lingering on the boy disappearing into the crowd.

Reed made his way to a secluded cave hidden deep in the forest. Inside, scraps of paper littered the ground, alongside dark scorch marks-a sign of past fires.

He crouched near a crack in the wall, pulling away twigs and leaves stuffed into the crevice. Reaching into the gap, he retrieved a small, worn bag. Unzipping it, he carefully added the knife to its contents: a few notes, a handful of odd tools, and a piece of cloth.

Satisfied, he tucked the bag back into its hiding spot, refilling the crack with leaves and twigs before turning to grab a scrap of paper and a pencil from the ground.

Meanwhile, Jade returned home, a long, straight stick clutched in her hand. She plopped herself onto the floor, grabbed her carving knife, and began whittling away with careful precision.

For hours, she worked tirelessly, smoothing edges and shaping the wood into a makeshift sword. When it was finally done, she held it up, admiring her handiwork. With a small grin, she etched the name "Reed" into the handle before tucking the sword beneath a pile of hay in the corner of the house.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Reed returned home, greeted by the warm glow of the fireplace. His mother handed him a blanket, while Jade glanced up from stirring the stew.

"Back so early?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Reed nodded. "Not that hungry today. You can cook a little less for me."

Dinner was a modest affair: crusty bread and a pot of mutton stew. The three of them sat around the wooden crate, waiting for their father's return.

"He's late today," Jade muttered, tapping her fingers impatiently.

A familiar shuffle of boots outside the door caught their attention. The door creaked open, and their father stepped in, shaking snow from his shoulders.

"Sorry I'm late," he said with a grin, rubbing his hands together. "The snow came out of nowhere, and I'm freezing."

After warming himself by the fire, he joined the table, clapping a hand on Reed's back. "Let's eat! I'm starving."

The family passed the bread and stew around, laughing as their father made exaggerated complaints about the cold. As the laughter died down, Jade caught her father's eye, her excitement barely contained.

She gave him a small nod, signaling she was ready.

Reed's father smiled and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "So," he said, his voice calm but deliberate. "I hear you've been interested in learning swo...."

The whole room froze.

Reed felt it first-a warm, humid gust brushing against the nape of his neck. His body stiffened, every instinct screaming at him to run, but his legs wouldn't move. Slowly, as if compelled by some unseen force, he turned his head.

Hovering just inches behind him was a creature unlike anything he had ever seen. Its single, massive eye-easily the size of a wrecking ball-stared at him with an unblinking intensity. Veins pulsed across its translucent surface, glowing faintly in the dim light.

Two impossibly long, scrawny arms extended toward him, their skeletal structure almost insect-like. Each arm ended in three elongated fingers, twitching ever so slightly, as if eager to grasp something.

The creature's mouth twisted into a grotesque smile, its jagged teeth uneven and spiked like shards of broken glass. Saliva dripped from its maw, sizzling faintly as it hit the wooden floor.

Then it spoke, its voice a guttural rasp that sent chills down Reed's spine. One word.

"Speak."