In the soft glow of twilight, we stood in a vast grassland. The air was filled with the gentle hum of nature, and fireflies began to twinkle around them, their lights flickering like tiny stars fallen to earth.
She went up ahead, turning back facing me with a smile and said,
“I want you to know something. No matter what happens, no matter where life takes us, I will never leave you.”
Listening to her say that, I smiled and replied,
“And I promise you the same. I will always be by your side, protecting you, cherishing you. We're in this together, now and forever.”
Stood there, silence for some time and slowly, a smile bloomed on her face. Her smile was radiant, a beacon of warmth and affection that lit up her face. It was a smile that came from the heart, reaching her eyes and making them sparkle. It was the kind of smile that could make one’s heart flutter,
“Yes, we are, Kai…”
She said so with a smile of such radiance.
All I could feeling during that time was a warm feeling in my heart, a happiness that I never felt before. This was the start of our journey, journey of two individuals who were unknown to each other at the beginning but now share a deep connection.
If it was me back then, I would have laughed at myself for thinking of going in a journey with someone. Why would I do so? Well, it’s a long story. It all began in the place where I lived my life for 12 years.
In the heart of a vast continent, nestled between towering mountains to the north, dense forests to the east, a serene sea to the west, and expansive plains to the south, lies The Kingdom of Eldridge. Its capital city, Eldor, is situated near a large river that flows from the mountains to the sea.
The kingdom's economy thrives on agriculture, mining, and trade. The fertile plains to the south are perfect for farming, while the mountains to the north are rich in precious metals and gems. Eldridge’s strategic location makes it a bustling trade hub. There’s also magic and adventurers’ job in this world. When a person turns 10-year-old, they are sent to church, in front of the head priest to get their unique ability. They are each given one ability which helps further in their journey. Some gets skills related to crafting, some cooking, some agriculture, and there are those who gets the ability of adventurers, sword skills, great magic, even hero’s blessing.
In this world, the kingdom of Eldridge has its very own history in bringing up such strong heroes with potential skills.
On the edge of the dense forests to the east, there's a small town called Wellspring. Wellspring, as the name suggests, a town built around a magical spring, nestled in the heart of a lush, enchanted forest. The spring is believed to have mystical properties, providing the town’s inhabitants with health, longevity, and perhaps even other magical abilities apart from their skills.
The town itself is a harmonious blend of nature and architecture, with homes carved into towering ancient trees and bridges woven from living vines. Bioluminescent plants and magical creatures provide light and color, casting an ethereal glow over the town as twilight falls.
The people of Wellspring are a diverse mix of races and species, living in harmony with nature and each other. There are Dwarves, who are renowned for their craftsmanship and mining skills. Dwarves have carved intricate homes in the roots of the trees. They are responsible for the town’s infrastructure and defense's. There’s also Beast-kin, they are beings with both human and animal characteristics, representing a wide range of species from the forest. Their unique abilities contribute to the town’s survival and prosperity. And lasty, Humans. With their adaptability and resilience, Humans form a significant part of Wellspring’s population. They engage in various professions, from farming and hunting to trading and storytelling.
They are known for their wisdom and hospitality, welcoming weary travelers with open arms and sharing tales of their rich history and folklore around crackling fire pits.
Despite its tranquility, Wellspring is not without its challenges. The magical spring, the town’s lifeblood, is a coveted resource, attracting the attention of dark forces. The town’s inhabitants, therefore, are skilled warriors, ready to protect Wellspring and its magic at all costs.
In essence, Wellspring is a beacon of hope and harmony in a world often fraught with danger and discord, a testament to the enduring power of community and the magic of nature. It’s a place of wonder and adventure, where every day brings a new story to tell.
One could see how people are working in the town, merchants selling their products, flower vendors putting on their shop, people meeting and greeting each other and even children of different races, a human girl and a beast-kin boy, playing together laughing on the streets.
“Don’t run while looking back Chio! You might trip and hurt yourself.”
“Alright Dad!!”,
Laughing, she puts on a smile and starts to play again. That’s Chio, with a cute appearance of brown hair, green eyes, she’s cheerful and bubbly, always makes anyone smile with her presence.
“She’s just like her mother…”, saying so he sighs.
This is Mr. Klaus. Elegant look and same traits as Chio, Brown hair and green eyes. Brook Klaus. He's Chio’s father, also a famous adventurer during his time. He was known for his skilled archery, and for being a great strategist.
“I wished I had a daughter like her.”, says a man who comes behind Mr. Klaus.
When Mr. Klaus looks back, he smiles and says,
“You always say the same thing, Ryu.”
“But it’s true, isn’t it?”
The man comes forward and stands besides Mr. Klaus. That man is Mr. Jace, Ryuhei Jace. He’s a beast-kin. He had blackish-blue hair, with wolf ears and a tail. Also, like Mr. Klaus, he was an adventurer as well. Strong for close combat, and having natural instincts being a beast-kin, he was a well known adventurer. In fact, both Mr. Klaus and Mr. Jace were partners in their adventures and best friends since childhood.
Mr. Jace sighs and looks at Chio playing with her friend,
“I wish my son was also as cheerful as Chio is…”
“Huh? But, isn’t he an active kid? I always see him running around...”, Mr. Klaus asks with a confused look on his face. To this Mr. Jace replies with a long sigh,
“I meant it in a different way. I find it good he’s energetic but…”
“But?”, while looking at him, Mr. Klaus asks.
“Well, you know lik-”,
Just when Mr. Jace was about to reply, they hear the sound of water splash and look in front where they see Chio, soaked in water in the fountain, and a boy splashing water at her. Chio as well starts to play with the water with the kid.
Mr. Jace comes forwards.
“BLAZE!”, with an angry look on his face, he looks straight at the boy and pulls him out of the fountain. Mr. Klaus came after him and brings her daughter out.
“How many times have I told you not to play like this!?”, Mr. Jace asks the boy who has a worried look on his face.
“But dad, it’s so fun to play in the water!”
Just as he says so, Mr. Jace starts to lecture him more, while Mr. Klaus is taking care of Chio and asking her if she’s alright. Blaze here is Mr. Jace son. Exact copy in appearance with Mr. Jace, except for the behavior's. Just like their fathers, Blaze and Chio are best friends and there’s no one in the town who doesn’t know about this two.
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“Calm down Ryu. They are just kids. Let them have some fun, will you?”
“But Brook, what if Chio got hurt while playing with him like that?”
Chio, who was standing by her father comes to Mr. Jace.
“It’s fine Uncle. I know Blaze will always protect me.”, she says so with a angel-like smile, which immediately gets Mr. Jace to calm down.
“You are so kind Chio. I wish Blaze learns a few things from you.”
“I am already well behaved! Also, put me down already dad!!”
Mr. Jace sighs and puts Blaze down.
“Alright. But be careful Blaze. Chio is a normal human, so she doesn’t have the healing abilities like you do.”
“Of course dad! I won’t let anyone harm Chio!!”
Mr. Klaus comes forward and pats Blaze,
“Thank you Blaze. Now go and play with Chio, but be careful, alright?”
With a happy face, Blaze runs towards Chio,
“Let’s go Chio! I will take good care of her, Uncle!”
“Bye dad!” Chio runs as well following Blaze.
Looking at the kids running and playing around, both of them smiles. But soon as both the kids are out of view, both of them come to a serious expression and looks at each other.
“Were you able to locate his location?”, Mr. Klaus asks Mr. Jace with a serious tone.
“I checked every part of the forest. Sadly, even I couldn’t trace him down”
Mr. Klaus sighs,
“No wonder it’s called ‘The Whispering Wildwoods’.”
“Yeah, no ordinary human or demi-human can find ways in that forest. Only he can”
“The Hellspawn…”
Even in this peaceful town, with wings spread of laughter and happiness, there’s still some spots that the wings can’t cover. Many dark forces did come for the town’s Magical Spring, but thanks to the adventurers and the bond of trust everyone has in them, none were able to get through them. But there was one certain, who was on a whole different level than any so far. It was as if, he was other worldly.
“Every time I close my eyes, I see it. He, with eyes of a deep, blood-red color, as if they’ve been dipped in the very essence of fear itself. They burn with an intensity that could outshine the fiercest of fires.”
“It’s hair, as black as the darkest abyss, stands in stark contrast, adding to the terrifying spectacle.”
“The sight of its deep red eyes, glowing ominously in the darkness, sends chills down my spine.”
“It’s a fear that’s hard to put into words, a dread that lingers long after the vision has faded. It’s the fear of the unknown, the fear of the malevolent force that the devil represents. It’s a fear that grips me, a fear I can’t shake off, a fear that consumes me every waking moment.”
Those were the whispers of the people, the citizens leading a normal life in the town, also the adventurers who ever crossed paths with him.
He first appeared 12 years ago, on the night of a feast on the occasion of a great harvest. Everyone was enjoying the feast when suddenly, few people saw two red eyes glowing in the deep woods, a kid-like shadow by the woods and looking straight their way. When one of them went to look into it, he felt a strong pressure in the air. It was as if all of his energy was being sucked out of him. Soon others realized the situation and came running to help the guy, but in that moment, the kid was gone.
Many more activities started to happen like so, and soon, one adventurer was found dead in the forest, all of his body was crushed. People realized it was that shadow’s work. Soon a search for him was conducted but none were able to find him. Those who came across him showed fear and were unable to say after that.
They all worked somehow to keep that shadow from coming to the town and it was still working.
Now in the present time, no such incidents were seen so it was peaceful, but people were still wary of it.
“This way Chio!”
“Wait for me, Blaze!”
Laughing, both of them were running, playing around the town.
Blaze runs more faster, through the crowd,
“You won’t be able to catc-”
While running, Blaze tripped and almost hit his head on a huge rock.
“Ah-AHH!!”
“Blaze!”
Blaze closes his eyes, thinking he will hit the rock. After a few seconds he opens his eyes and touches his head.
“Huh? I am not hurt…? How?”
“Maybe its thanks to me?”
“Huh?”
Blaze looks up and see a guy, wearing an old tattered cloak, holding him up. He had jet-black hair and deep blue eyes.
“Looks like you’re all okay, Blaze”, he smiles as he says so.
“KAI!!”
“Yup, that’s my name”
This is me. Kai, an 18-year-old living a life of solitude. Why a solitude life? That has a history to it, related my life.
“Are you alright, Blaze!?”, Chio comes running, panting, takes some time to catch her breath.
“I am fine, Chio! But look who’s here!?”
“Huh? Who’s her- OH! Kai!! You came back!?”
With a small laugh looking at those two, I smile and says,
“Yup, I am back”
“But weren’t you supposed to take like 2 months to return from you herb collecting quest?”
“Well, I was able to collect them early on since I found them easily.”
“That’s great, so we will be able to play inside the fore-!”
I hold Blaze’s mouth, “Shh! Keep your voice down. It’s our secret, right?”
Laughing, Blaze nods his head, “Yeah, right. I forgot. Sorry, Kai.”
I smiled,
“Alright, now let me sell my herbs and settle back, alright? After that we can continue to explore the forest like before.”
Both Chio and Blaze nodded their head,
“Yeah!”
After having a few more small conversation with them, I went back on my way to sell the herbs I collected. I am the lowest ranked adventurer in this town. The rank system was from S-E. S-Rank adventurers were the strongest, and Mr. Klaus and Mr. Jace were both S-Ranked adventurers.
So, being the lowest ranked, I am the E-Ranked adventurer. I had got the appraisal skill, able to easily identify anything if I use my skill on it. So, I work in herb collection. It gives a steady pay so I am living my day-to-day life.
After collecting my pay for work, I went to a meat store to celebrate a fast quest completion. Bought some extra food and was on my way home. It was just supposed to be a normal day for me, I was to go home and have a small feast, but I didn’t expect my life to take a turn with the event that occurred later on.
My house was deep inside the forest, where I had created a small house. Blaze and Chio knew of it so they often came inside the forest to meet me and I also explored them around the forest.
I was going back to my house from town. It was already too late and dark on my way. Just when I was crossing the forest, I saw a group of bandits surrounding a young girl.
“Who's that girl..?”, I softly whispered to myself.
She was wearing a hood so I wasn't able to get a clear look at her face, but by looking at her facial expression it was obvious, she was trying hard not to show she was scared of them. But being surrounded by so many men, her bravery gave up and fear was all over her face.
“Should I help her…?”, I mumbled to myself and started to go deep into thoughts, but just in that moment, the bandit sneered.
"Hand over your valuables, girl!"
The girl trembled, "I... I don't have anything valuable."
With an annoyed face, the bandit pulled his dagger and was about to attack at the girl. She closed her eyes as if she accepted her fate.
“Pulse of Singularity!”
Before I knew it, I was out of my hiding. My body just moved on its own, my right hand raised, palm facing the bandits and I was using my powers, it was not appraisal but something I have hidden from everyone till now. I was suppressing the bandits’ group to the ground, smashing them and knocked them out.
I intervened, used my powers. But soon after, I realized something. I decided to leave before she could thank me. Not because I didn’t want to be thanked, but I knew that the words she would say would be something else. So, I started to walk away.
The girl called out, "Wait! I..."
But I had already disappeared.