Kaelis lay in his cradle, his tiny body wrapped in thick furs that smelled of earth and faint embers from the distant hearth. His eyelids were heavy, but sleep never came easy to him—not because he was tired, but because his mind never truly stopped moving. It had been like this since the moment he was born into this world. Or rather, since the moment he awoke in it.

The wooden beams above him were wrapped in something—vines, maybe, but not like the ones from his past life. These pulsed faintly, their blackened veins shifting against the ceiling as if they were alive, not just growing but subtly writhing. It wasn’t much, just the tiniest motion, so small that an ordinary infant wouldn’t have noticed. But Kaelis did. He had spent too much time in this fragile body not to notice.

He shifted, turning his head toward the open window where a warm breeze rolled in, carrying a scent he still hadn’t gotten used to. It was thick, heavy, something deep and rich, like the smell of fresh soil right after a storm, but also something else—something that wasn’t just nature but an energy woven into it. A scent that told him the world itself was breathing.

His fingers curled weakly, frustration prickling at his mind as his underdeveloped body refused to keep up with his thoughts. He had already tried to rationalize it—perhaps his infant senses were simply stronger, making everything feel more exaggerated. But even that didn’t explain what he had seen outside.

His grey eyes drifted toward the open window, watching the garden beyond the wooden frame of his home. The grass stretched far beyond his vision, not green, but streaked with deep violet and pale blue, shifting colors as the wind passed through. And the trees—their leaves did not just sway; they twisted and coiled, bending unnaturally, as if reacting to the very presence of those who walked beneath them.

‘That’s not normal…what’s the deal with them?’

And yet, here he was, staring at something that defied logic, something that made his old world feel like a dream, and this one a lucid, waking vision.

Then, he heard voices—his mother and father speaking in soft, warm tones.

“Do you want to see the garden?” Zekka’s voice was gentle as she leaned over his cradle, lifting him up with ease. Gunthr stood nearby, arms crossed but a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched them. “It’s a nice day, Kaelis. Let’s take a walk, hm?”

Kaelis didn’t get a choice in the matter, not that he resisted. His tiny fingers barely fit around the fabric of his mother’s cloak as she carried him outside. The moment they stepped into the garden, the air changed. It was subtle, but Kaelis felt it immediately—the shift of the wind, the way the plants moved in ways that didn’t feel random.

‘This is insane..a garden that's INSANELY different from the plants and gardens from my own world.’

His mother knelt, lowering him toward a patch of golden ferns swaying gently in the breeze. She ran her hand through them, and Kaelis’ breath hitched ever so slightly when the stems curled at her touch, as if responding to her. When she pulled away, the tips of the ferns glowed faintly for a few seconds before fading back to normal.

Kaelis’ tiny fingers twitched. ‘It reacted to her?!’

His mother’s expression remained the same—as if she hadn’t noticed anything unusual. As if this was just… normal.

She guided his small hand toward the ferns, letting him touch them. At first, they didn’t react, but as his fingers brushed the surface, the warmth of his skin met something odd.

They were soft, but not like regular plants. There was something underneath, something faint, like a pulse—or was he imagining it? A trick of his underdeveloped senses?

His father chuckled from above. “Looks like he’s curious.”

Zekka smiled. “He’s always curious.”

She stood, adjusting him in her arms as they moved deeper into the garden. Kaelis’ eyes roamed across the strange flora—some of the flowers had translucent petals, revealing veins inside that shimmered like molten gold. Others released faint streams of glowing mist, rising like candle smoke before fading into the air.

‘Honestly, I’m amazed right now…even the flowers and stuff are peaceful. I haven’t felt anything like this in so long..’

Then he saw something even stranger.

A single, hanging fruit dangled from a tree branch. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—the surface wasn’t solid, but translucent, like liquid trapped inside a delicate shell. And then, as a gentle wind passed through, the fruit chimed.

Kaelis stiffened slightly, his tiny hands gripping his mother’s cloak. It was a sound, like glass bells ringing softly in the wind. He had been trying to rationalize things up until now, telling himself that this was simply an exotic ecosystem, something that made sense in its own way. But this?

‘WHAAAA?’

His mother didn’t even glance at it.

Gunthr, however, must have noticed the way Kaelis kept staring because he smirked. “That one’s a Moonfruit. Haven’t ripened yet, but when they do, they sing instead of chime.”

‘Sing? Fruits that can sing? Yeah this is some kind of happy wonderland. I feel nothing but peace, no danger, nothing hostile at all. It feels like I’m in a fantasy book, now I’m expecting to see flying books or a giant dragon come out of nowhere any moment now.’

He opened his mouth, but no words came—his body too young, his voice too weak.

His mother chuckled, holding him closer. “You like that one, don’t you?” She reached out, brushing the fruit with her fingertips. The liquid inside shifted, swirling lazily, and the tree trembled just slightly as if recognizing her presence.

Kaelis wasn’t sure how long they walked, how many things he observed that defied every natural law he had once understood. The further they went, the more unnatural everything became, and yet—no one questioned it. Not his mother. Not his father. To them, this was life.

By the time they returned to the house, Kaelis had already gone quiet, deep in thought.

He was still trying to process it all.

‘Was this what magic truly was? Not just spells and enchantments, but something deeper? Something woven into the very nature of this world? Awesome..! Perhaps these could be used to aid my ascendence!’

His mother kissed his forehead as she laid him back in his crib. “It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?” she whispered softly.

Kaelis wasn’t sure if she meant it as just a simple remark, but the words lingered in his mind as he stared at the wooden beams above, where the vines still pulsed ever so slightly.

‘Yes. It was a lot to take in.’

And for the first time, he wondered if he was the strange one—not the world.

The warm scent of roasted meat and herbs drifted through the small wooden home, mixing with the faint crackle of the hearth. Kaelis lay bundled in his cradle, his small fingers occasionally twitching as he listened to the faint sounds of movement around him. The clatter of plates, the scrape of a knife against wood, the low hum of voices—these things were familiar, comfortable.

But the food itself? That was something entirely different.

Gunthr sat at the large wooden table, sleeves rolled up, a sharp knife in one hand and a thick slab of something that looked like meat in front of him. The texture was different than anything Kaelis had seen in his old world—dark, almost marbled with streaks of deep crimson, yet when sliced, the inside shimmered faintly, as if reflecting the firelight unnaturally. Zekka stood at the counter, carefully peeling the skin from something that looked like a potato but had a strange, waxy sheen, and with each cut, the inside shifted in color, turning from pale gold to deep purple as if reacting to the air.

‘That’s… odd. It looks crazy, like if I eat it, then I’ll turn into it..’

He wasn’t sure why he expected things to be exactly the same. Even though the house itself felt like something from his old world—wooden beams, a stone fireplace, the warmth of a home—the details were always just slightly off. It made him uneasy sometimes, like he was constantly on the edge of familiarity but never truly inside it.

Gunthr stretched, exhaling as he set the knife down and cracked his knuckles. “I think today calls for something special,” he said, rolling his shoulders.

Kaelis blinked, already feeling a sense of impending disaster.

Gunthr leaned forward, grinning as he raised a hand over the table, his fingers flexing slightly. The air in the room shifted, barely noticeable at first, just a faint disturbance, but Kaelis felt it—something unseen moving, bending at Gunthr’s command.

Then, with a sudden flick of his wrist, the knife lifted slightly off the table.

Kaelis’ eyes widened.

What—

Zekka sighed. “Gunthr.”

Gunthr ignored her, grinning as he twisted his hand. The knife spun in the air, slowly, as if caught in an invisible current. The movement was fluid, controlled. He wasn’t even touching it. The wind itself was carrying it.

“HAHA! Feast your baby eyes, Kaelis! See how perfect I am!”

Zekka rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

Kaelis felt his mind start to race.

‘Is that the magic stuff? He has wind..how boring.’

Gunthr smirked, his eyes flicking toward Kaelis in the cradle. “Watch closely, son,” he said, raising a finger dramatically. “This is how a true master of the blade prepares dinner.”

Zekka snorted. “A master of the blade? You’re not even touching it.”

“Hmph! You’ll see! I’ll show all who doubt me!”

Kaelis saw where this was going, the knife was going way too fast.

‘Wait wait wait isn’t that dangerous?! What if it hits me?!’

The knife spun higher, twirling perfectly in the air. Then, with a flick of his fingers, he sent it flying toward the slab of meat.

Or at least, he meant to.

Instead, the knife swerved midair, spun wildly, and shot straight toward him.

Gunthr let out a very undignified yelp like a girl as he ducked at the last second, the knife narrowly missing his head and embedding itself into the wooden beam behind him with a loud thud.

For a moment, there was silence.

Kaelis just blinked. And he started laughing. Not at what happened at all, but the way Gunthr screamed like a girl.

Gunthr then got excited, raising his fist, “Ha! I made our son laugh first! He loves me more!”

Then Zekka burst into laughter.

“Oh, yes,” she said between chuckles, crossing her arms as she leaned against the counter. “Truly the work of a master.”

Gunthr coughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “The air in here’s a little different than outside. That’s all.”

Zekka wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still smiling. “Mm-hm.”

Gunthr cleared his throat, turning to Kaelis in his cradle, as if expecting some kind of support. “You believe me, don’t you, son?”

Kaelis just stared, the smile still curling on his baby face.

‘You almost killed yourself.’

Gunthr exhaled. “Right. Tough crowd. Still made Kaelis laugh. That’s a win for me. I feel complete in life.”

Zekka chuckled, shaking her head as she turned back to the food. “Just help me with the rest of this before you hurt yourself.”

Gunthr grumbled something under his breath, reaching for a different knife—this time, with his hands.

Kaelis wasn’t sure what just happened, but his thoughts kept circling back to the way his father had moved the air, the way the knife had floated, how everything had seemed so effortless until it… wasn’t.

‘Even with all the shenanigans, that wasn’t just strength. That wasn’t just skill. I WANT IT. When can I learn this magic stuff?’

Kaelis’ fingers twitched slightly.

‘What is that?’

The scent of food filled the house as the meal came together. Despite his confusion, his small body was still ruled by instinct, and as Zekka carried him to the table, he couldn’t help but stare at the dishes placed before them.

Some of the food looked normal. The roasted meat, now sliced properly without any airborne knives involved, looked rich and seasoned, its juices seeping into the wooden platter beneath it. The strange color it had before had faded slightly after cooking, leaving it looking almost normal—until the juices caught the light and shimmered faintly like liquid metal.

The vegetables were even stranger. Some were leafy and thick like cabbage but had faint veins of light running through them, pulsing softly as if alive. Others had translucent layers that changed color with every shift of the light, shifting between deep reds and blues.

Zekka smiled as she gently fed Kaelis small bites, her movements practiced and careful. He didn’t resist, though his mind was still reeling.

‘It tastes..amazing!’

Gunthr leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he sighed in satisfaction. “See? No injuries, no disasters. This meal is a success. I made Kaelis laugh, and he enjoy my food.””

Zekka raised an eyebrow. “The knife is still stuck in the wall.”

Gunthr waved a hand. “It adds character to the house.”

Kaelis just stared at his father, then at his mother.

Then, despite himself, his tiny mouth curled slightly at the edges.

Zekka hummed softly as she adjusted the tiny handcrafted tunic over Kaelis, making sure the fabric rested comfortably against his chubby arms. The warm glow of the morning sun spilled through the wooden shutters, casting soft light across the room. Outside, the distant rustling of trees and the occasional chirping of birds added a peaceful rhythm to the moment.

But Kaelis wasn’t focused on any of that.

His attention was locked onto the figure moving outside.

Gunthr.

‘Finally! Some action..’ Kaelis’s eyes narrowed.

The red-haired warrior Gunthr sat cross-legged in the open yard, completely still. The air around him was oddly… alive. The morning breeze stirred unnaturally, responding to his presence, twisting in careful, rhythmic patterns.

Kaelis narrowed his eyes, his tiny hands gripping the fabric of his tunic as he leaned slightly to get a better look.

‘What’s he doing? Is this the magic power stuff? I gotta pay attention..see how he does it, then I can easily mimic it!’

For several minutes, Gunthr remained motionless, his chest rising and falling in deep, controlled breaths. Then, suddenly—

A shift.

The air around him pulsed, vibrating in an unseen rhythm. The grass flattened beneath an invisible force, leaves swayed despite the lack of wind. And then—Gunthr exhaled sharply.

Wind exploded outward in a controlled burst, yet not a single leaf was torn from its branch. It wasn’t just wild force—it was precision.

Kaelis’ mind reeled. ‘He’s controlling the air?!’

Gunthr’s eyes fluttered open, wiping a trickle of blood from his nose. His head tilted slightly, as if dealing with a dull ache, before he exhaled and rose to his feet.

Kaelis noticed.

‘His nose is bleeding..’

The moment of stillness had cost something. That wasn’t just simple breathing—it was something deeper. His mind immediately connected the dots. That wasn’t just relaxation. That was something else entirely.

He kept watching.

Gunthr strode toward a rack of wooden weapons propped against the outer wall of their home. He grabbed a wooden spear first, rolling his shoulders before gripping it in both hands. The second he did—the wind surged.

It curled around him like an extension of his body, wrapping around the spear’s shaft in subtle, shifting currents. It wasn’t a violent gust—it was controlled. Directed.

Gunthr took a step, and the wind stepped with him.

He twirled the spear effortlessly, his movements sharp yet smooth. The wind followed his every action, reinforcing each strike, each shift of weight, like an unseen force dancing in tandem with his body.

Kaelis couldn’t look away.

He had seen flashy combat before—in movies, in anime, in the exaggerated fights of video games. But this? This was real. And it wasn’t just raw power—it was skill.

Gunthr pivoted, thrusting the spear forward, and a sharp burst of wind shot out from the tip, whistling through the air before dispersing harmlessly into the trees.

Kaelis inhaled sharply. That was real. That just happened.

Zekka, adjusting the hem of his tunic, chuckled. “Seems like your father is refining his Kenda.” She glanced at Kaelis with an amused glint in her eyes. “Hope he creates a skill that allows him to finally shut up when he’s bragging.”

Kaelis barely registered her words. His mind had latched onto one thing.

Kenda.

‘That’s what this power is called…’

His thoughts churned. This wasn’t just some natural phenomenon—this was something people could create. He had seen it with his own eyes. Gunthr had controlled it like it was part of him, bending it to his will.

Kaelis’ lips curled.

‘If people can create their own Kenda techniques…!’

A deep, bubbling laugh built in his chest.

‘Then I’ll dominate this world! I’ll create the most badass magic skills anyone has ever seen!’

His tiny, triumphant laugh echoed through the house—only for Zekka to pause, her gaze softening as she held him close.

“Haha, you like Kenda?” she murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, “One day, I hope you’re able to use it to survive in this world. I’m actually thinking of enrolling you in the academy when you get a little older, the same one me and your father went to. And..where we met, haha.”

Kaelis blinked.

‘There’s even an academy in this world? I hated school so much in my world I never liked going, but this is for a new purpose: my insane power I’m gonna have.’

Zekka’s arms tightened slightly, just for a moment. He felt the warmth of her embrace, the weight of her emotions pressing against him. There was something deep, something unspoken behind those words.

He ignored it.

His gaze flickered back outside.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Gunthr had moved on to a wooden sword, gripping it loosely as the wind coiled around his limbs. His breathing had steadied, his stance shifting seamlessly between offense and defense. Each swing was fluid, almost playful, yet precise.

Kaelis noticed something else.

Another drop of blood.

Gunthr wiped his nose again, his grin unwavering.

Kaelis also noticed Gunthr wincing, like something else was in pain.

‘His head..? His body..? And he’s enjoying this..?!’

He knew Gunthr was in pain somewhere else, but the smile never wavered from Gunthr’s face.

‘He’s pushing himself. IS HE TRYING TO SHOW OFF THAT COOL MAGIC?! It’s like he’s daring me to come take it from him and dominate everything. It’s like dangling food in front of a lion. Are there even lions in this world? What about snakes?’

He was enjoying this. The exhaustion, the struggle—he was grinning through it.

Kaelis watched as Gunthr swung downward—and the wind followed, carving a sharp current that blasted through the clearing. He spun on his heel, transitioning into a sweeping slash, the air howling around him in response.

‘Yeah that’s right. Watch your father, Kaelis! Watch how I wield this wind like a badass. Watch how precise I wield it. One day I’ll teach you Kenda, and might even be stronger than me. If I keep training in front of you, you’ll be begging me to spar with you.’

Then—he stopped.

Gunthr wiped the sweat from his brow, then turned his head slightly toward the house. His gaze flickered toward Kaelis.

And then—he smirked.

“Now that’s how you wield Kenda,” he declared, tossing the sword over his shoulder with dramatic flair.

Kaelis made a face of disgust.

Gunthr turned back around, proud of himself. His eyes shimmered with satisfaction, his chest swelling with pure, dumb confidence.

In his head, he was already thinking—

‘I look so cool in front of him now! He’ll tell everyone his father’s a true warrior! I did all of that flashy stuff to show off!’

Kaelis exhaled.

‘Yep. He’s trying to show off.’

Disgust curled in his gut.

Gross.

…

The air outside carried a weight to it, a warmth that settled deep in the skin, not just from the sun but from something else—something unseen. Every breeze that passed through felt deliberate, almost rhythmic, like a breath exhaled from the world itself.

Kaelis didn’t fully understand it, but he could feel it.

Zekka rocked gently in her chair, holding him against her chest, her fingers brushing absentmindedly through his hair. The steady motion, the warmth of her embrace—it was comforting, even if his mind refused to settle. His eyes stayed open, staring at the world around them, at the strange, shifting colors of the grass, at the trees that moved as if they were listening to something he couldn’t hear.

‘It’s like everything in this world reacts to one another..how big is it? Are there gods here? Giants? Spirits? Beasts? Beastkin people? War…?’

Gunthr stood by the porch, leaning against the wooden pillar with his arms crossed, his gaze distant. He wasn’t looking at them, nor was he looking at anything in particular. Just the horizon, the endless stretch of sky where the sun was beginning to set. His expression was unreadable at first, quiet in a way that wasn’t normal for him.

Then, he exhaled, shaking his head slightly.

“This is real, huh…” His voice was low, almost to himself. “We actually made it here.”

Zekka glanced up at him, shifting slightly in the chair. “Yeah,” she said softly.

Gunthr let out a short breath of laughter, though there wasn’t much humor in it. “Never thought it’d happen,” he muttered. “I kept telling myself it would, that we’d get out, that we’d find something more.” He paused, tilting his head up toward the sky. “But I don’t think I ever really believed it.”

Zekka didn’t say anything right away. The chair creaked slightly as she continued to rock, the silence stretching between them.

Gunthr finally looked at her, then at Kaelis. His jaw tensed for a moment before he spoke again.

“I don’t think I knew what I wanted back then. Not really,” he admitted. “Fighting was just… what we did. It was all I knew. Every day, the same thing.” His grip tightened slightly against his arms. “But when we talked about leaving, when we talked about having this, I told myself it was just another goal. Just another fight.”

His voice was quieter now, like he wasn’t sure he wanted to keep going. But he did.

“I don’t think I ever knew how much I wanted it until now.”

Zekka’s fingers slowed against Kaelis’ hair. Her gaze lingered on Gunthr, her expression soft, patient.

Gunthr let out another breath, this one slower. “A family. A home. That’s all I ever wanted.”

Kaelis didn’t know why, but the air around them felt heavier now. Not in a bad way—just different. Like something deeper was being said, something that meant more than the words themselves.

Gunthr stepped forward, reaching out with careful hands. Zekka shifted, passing Kaelis to him, and Gunthr lifted him up, holding him easily.

Kaelis blinked as the light hit his father’s face.

For once, Gunthr wasn’t grinning. There was no teasing remark, no dramatic flourish. Just quiet, steady eyes looking at him with something that Kaelis didn’t quite have the words for.

Gunthr’s fingers trembled slightly. Just for a moment.

And then—

A flicker.

The warmth disappeared. The air turned sharp.

The floor beneath him was rough. Cold. His cheek burned where it had struck the wood. The scent of alcohol was thick, choking. A breath—heavy, ragged, and then—a shadow towering over him. A hand raised, curled into a fist.

Gunthr blinked.

The memory shattered.

Kaelis was still in his arms. The sky was still burning gold. The world was still whole.

Gunthr exhaled sharply, his jaw clenching as he quickly wiped at his face.

‘Too weak to do anything against that man..ran away plenty of times…looking for someone strong to kill my own father..but wouldn’t get far. I will make sure Kaelis has a complete opposite childhood than me…he won’t die. He won’t be trapped in a loop of abuse and stuck in a cage like me..the more I love my son from here on out, the more I can even feel my own self growing up, living the childhood I always wanted. I’m new at parenting..I’ll do my best.’

Zekka tilting her head. “Dear…are you crying?”

Gunthr immediately straightened, clearing his throat loudly as he turned slightly away. “What?! Haha! No! No. Something got in my eye.”

Zekka hummed, shifting back into her chair. “Right. If you need a hug…I’m here.”

“Thank you..”

Gunthr rolled his shoulders, exhaling before looking back at Kaelis. “I can’t wait for you to see it all, kid. The whole damn world. You’re gonna love it.”

Zekka gave him a knowing look. “Honey.”

“Hm?”

“Please don’t run off with our son—.”

KRACK-THOOM!

Kaelis barely had time to process what was happening before the world blurred around him, Gunthr tucking him securely under one arm as he took off across the yard, already mounting his horse in one swift motion.

Zekka sighed, rubbing her temple as the wind roared in his wake. “Of course.”

Gunthr turned back briefly, grinning like a madman. “Don’t wait up!”

And then they were gone, the sound of hooves pounding against the dirt, the rush of wind whipping past them as the capital stretched out in the distance.

Kaelis wasn’t sure what to think.

The wind still felt different.

The world still felt alive.

And his father was completely insane.

The rhythmic pounding of hooves against the dirt filled the air as Gunthr’s horse tore through the open fields, wind rushing past them in powerful currents. The sky stretched wide, a deep orange glow settling on the horizon, casting long shadows across the land. Kaelis, held securely in Gunthr’s arm, was absolutely losing his mind.

‘This lunatic! This absolute madman!’

Wind howled around them, sweeping through Gunthr’s cloak and tousling Kaelis’ hair wildly, the baby barely able to move in his father’s tight grip. He could feel the constant shifts in the air, unnatural but smooth, subtle shifts of pressure that weren’t just the wind itself—his father was using something to control it.

Gunthr grinned as he leaned slightly forward, keeping a steady balance on the horse, his hand glowing faintly as the wind adjusted around them. “See that, son?” he called over the rushing air. “That’s how you ride. Fast and free, just like the great warriors of old! You’ll understand when you get bigger!”

“OH I understand! I understand plenty! Put me down!”

Unfortunately, all Gunthr heard was a series of garbled baby noises, Kaelis’ face scrunched up in pure, unfiltered betrayal.

Gunthr glanced down at him, then immediately choked on a laugh. “By the gods, you’re adorable.”

Kaelis kicked weakly in frustration, arms barely able to move as he let out another angry, frantic baby cry, his mind cursing Gunthr in every way possible. “You lunatic! I’m gonna fall! This is kidnapping! Slow down!”

Gunthr let out a loud laugh, shifting Kaelis slightly so he could see ahead. “Calm down, calm down! You’re safe with me! Look, look! This is the world, son! And we’ve got company.”

Kaelis, still fuming, turned his head slightly—only for his eyes to widen.

‘Whoa…’

The fields they were passing through weren’t empty. Strange creatures lurked in the distance, some half-hidden in the tall grass, others prowling the edges of the tree line.

A hulking three-eyed stag stood atop a hill, its antlers shimmering with silver-lined veins, its gaze locked onto them. Further ahead, a massive serpent-like beast with jagged, crystalline scales slithered near the riverbanks, its body refracting the fading sunlight like a prism, flickering in and out of sight. Above them, a dark-winged vulture with an elongated, almost human-like face circled high in the sky, its movements unnatural, its shadow stretching long against the land.

Kaelis swallowed. ‘This world really is alive…with weird looking corrupted versions of the animals from my old world..but these animals look way more flashy, and even better..’

Gunthr, however, didn’t seem the least bit concerned. “See that one?” he said, pointing toward a low-crawling beast with six legs and obsidian-coated fur, its long tongue flicking out toward the air as it followed their movement from the distance. “That’s a Shadex Hound. Nasty little thing, but if you don’t smell like rotting flesh, they won’t come after you.”

‘Oh, how reassuring, Father.’

Kaelis let out another frustrated wail, flailing as best he could, which only made Gunthr even more amused.

“Calm down, calm down! You’re fine!” Gunthr chuckled, glancing down again at Kaelis, who was still glaring at him like he was the worst thing to ever happen to existence. His little face was twisted in frustration, his tiny hands clenched into weak, angry fists, and Gunthr swore he’d never seen something so precious in his life.

Gunthr’s grin widened as a thought came to him, and he lowered his voice, soft and encouraging. “Hey, can you say da-da?”

Kaelis’ eyes twitched.

‘No way he just asked me that..’

Then, with every ounce of his soul, he snapped back, “Fuck off! I’ll be crushed at this rate!”

But out of his mouth came baby once noises again.

Gunthr nearly fell off the horse.

He stared at Kaelis in complete, wide-eyed shock, his mouth hanging open as his brain refused to process what just happened.

Of course, to his ears, Kaelis had simply let out a normal baby babble. But to Kaelis himself, it had been a desperate, completely justified act of defiance.

Gunthr, utterly oblivious, gasped dramatically. “Oh, that was amazing!” He pressed Kaelis against his chest, swaying slightly with joy. “I think you almost said something! Zekka’s gonna love this!”

Kaelis screamed internally.

He was trapped. He was doomed. And worst of all—his own father was insane.

Before he could even try to plan a new method of survival, the wind around them suddenly shifted.

It was fast—too fast. A presence moved, something unnatural bending the very air around them.

And then—

Zekka appeared in front of them in an instant.

Gunthr yelped. The horse skidded to a stop, nearly throwing both of them off as it reared slightly, hooves slamming into the ground.

Zekka stood there, utterly unbothered, a peaceful smile on her face, hands folded neatly in front of her.

Gunthr, who had faced war, bloodshed, and near-death countless times, visibly tensed.

“Gunthr,” Zekka said sweetly. “Where exactly do you think you’re taking our son?”

Gunthr swallowed, still gripping Kaelis as he cleared his throat. “Zekka, love, darling, radiant star of my life—”

“Hmm?”

Gunthr straightened, shifting Kaelis slightly in his arms as if to shield himself with his child. “Now, before you get mad—”

“I’m not mad,” Zekka said, stepping forward, the warmth in her voice unchanging. “Just curious.”

Gunthr’s grip on the reins tightened. “Well, I just thought—Kaelis should, you know, see the capital, get a feel for the world! Meet the others!” He grinned, though there was a distinct nervousness behind it.

Zekka tilted her head slightly, still smiling. “Gunthr. He is a baby.”

Gunthr hesitated. “Technically, yes.”

Zekka sighed, reaching forward to gently brush Kaelis’ hair back. “He’s too young for this. You know that, don’t you?”

Gunthr hesitated again. “…Technically, yes.”

Kaelis, still nestled in his father’s grip, stared at his mother like she was his savior.

‘Please, Mother. End this madness! Smite him down!’

Zekka’s fingers lingered for a moment before she pulled back.

She let out a long breath, closing her eyes briefly before nodding to herself. “I suppose… a short trip wouldn’t hurt.”

Gunthr visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping slightly. “See? That’s the spirit!”

Zekka raised a single finger. “But,” she said, “the capital is busy today. We won’t stay long.”

Gunthr held a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Zekka, love, would I ever let anything happen to our child?”

Kaelis made a pointedly loud baby noise.

‘WHAT?! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA SAVE ME OR SOMETHING!’

Zekka’s expression remained the same, her serene smile unwavering. “You mean the child you just took on a high-speed horse ride through monster territory?” She replied to Gunthr.

Gunthr cleared his throat again. “…Right.”

Zekka gently tapped his shoulder before turning back toward the path. “Let’s go, dear.”

Gunthr exhaled dramatically before adjusting his grip on Kaelis, who was still mentally cursing him. “Guess that’s a yes, then.”

And with that, the three of them rode toward the capital together.

…

(Othvendell capital)

The scent of roasted meat and sweet spice drifted through the air as Gunthr guided the horse through the towering gates of Othvendell. The city stretched wide beyond the entrance, its wooden walls reinforced with thick stone at the base, standing tall like ancient sentinels guarding the bustling heart of the kingdom. The moment they passed through, the sheer energy of the capital struck Kaelis all at once.

It was overwhelming.

Noise. So much noise.

The chatter of merchants bartering, the laughter of children darting between the crowd, the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith’s hammer against steel, the distant crackling of magic being cast in the air—it all clashed and blended into an unrelenting wave of sound.

Gunthr, of course, was grinning ear to ear, his free hand gesturing wildly as he guided the horse further into the chaos. “Welcome to Othvendell, Kaelis! The heart of the kingdom, the great trade city, and the place where all the best trouble starts!”

Kaelis barely registered his father’s excitement, his eyes darting in every direction as he tried to take in the sheer vastness of it all. The roads were packed with carts carrying wares from distant lands, stalls lined every street corner, displaying everything from vibrant fruits that pulsed faintly with bioluminescence to thick, ornately carved tomes bound in metal clasps.

Kaelis made sure to observe everything. Being in a new world meant to observe his surroundings, not just take them with a grain of salt; he had to know his location, the power, the laws, the system, the beasts and mythic stuff, everything.

The air smelled like a strange mixture of spices, baked goods, and something smoky that reminded Kaelis of burning wood. He spotted a man leaning over a massive pot, stirring a thick, bubbling stew that glowed a deep blue as if infused with magic. Another stall sold candied roots that floated slightly above their platters, bobbing up and down as if teasing passersby.

Magic/Kenda was everywhere.

To his right, a burly man with a thick gray beard lifted a barrel with one hand, his fingers glowing faintly with a deep orange light. Fire Kenda. Not flames exactly, but heat so intense the air around his arm shimmered, strengthening his grip as he tossed the barrel onto a cart with ease.

‘Heat..I can even feel it from here…’

Further ahead, a woman flicked her wrist, guiding a thin stream of water through the air like a serpent, weaving it delicately into a jug without spilling a drop.

“Ah! Finally got it right!” She exclaimed with her hands on her hips, expressing a smile like she just earned a hundred gold coins.

Next to her, a young boy ran barefoot through the crowd, his steps unnaturally light, small gusts of wind carrying him forward faster than his legs alone could manage.

“Haha! I’m fast!”

And his parents chased him, “Get back here! You’re gonna make a mess!”

“Huh?! I can’t hear ya!…I definitely can hear you.”

Everywhere Kaelis looked, Kenda was not just used—it was ingrained into daily life.

‘So more than one person can have the same affinity?’

The market pulsed with life, a shifting sea of people moving between stalls, exchanging goods, stories, and favors. The scent of roasted meat and fragrant spices blended with the occasional whiff of parchment, polished leather, and something floral—perhaps Amber Glade perfume, an expensive luxury only found in Othvendell.

‘It’s alive here…so much happening, so much talking, smells, feelings…’ Kaelis thought.

Gunthr led the horse at a slow pace, eyes darting everywhere like a child who had been let loose in a festival. “Gods, I haven’t been here in years,” he muttered, grinning wide. “Smell that, Kaelis? That’s the scent of adventure! And intense spending.”

This is a lot.

Kaelis, of course, did not respond in words, but the sheer amount of motion, sound, and color bombarding his senses was enough to keep him wide-eyed.

“First time seeing a real trade hub, huh, little one? Well obviously, what am I even asking?” Gunthr chuckled, adjusting his grip on the reins. “But you won’t find a place like this anywhere else in Kalhalla. Each kingdom in this continent and the hundreds of continue our there are vastly different from the next. Each with their own laws and people, factions, and more.”

Zekka, seated behind him, was far less swept up in the moment, her fingers drumming lightly against Gunthr’s shoulder. “Just don’t get carried away. I don’t want to have to haggle us out of trouble again.”

“Trouble?” Gunthr scoffed. “This is Othvendell, love. It’s the safest place in the world.”

‘Zekka has been worried and anxious for the last few days. Is this the after-effects of having a child that I don’t know about? She spent months stressed out, and now she’s finally got what she—we wanted, I thought she’d be happier, like me.’

Just as he thought this, a loud argument broke out to their left.

“I swear on my ancestors, you cheating pile of filth, this is NOT what we agreed on!”

A burly woman with twin axes strapped to her back pointed an accusatory finger at a merchant, who was leaning over his wares with an amused smirk.

The merchant—an older man with a neatly trimmed beard—sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “My dear warrior, I promised you a blade that never dulls. And what do you have? A blade that never dulls. Don’t like it, go find someone else! I’m not the only one who deals with weapons around here!”

The woman slammed her fist onto the table, rattling an assortment of goods, including a stack of finely wrapped leather pouches. “You never said anything about it being cursed! The damn thing whispers when I hold it!”

A passing adventurer, a tall elf with a bow slung across her back, snorted. “Sounds like a fair trade to me.”

‘Is that AN ELF?!’ Kaelis thought in shock. ‘First different race outside of a human and a few mystic animals I’ve seen.’

The burly woman shouted, “Fair?! It won’t shut up! It keeps calling me ‘Master of Insane Lust!’ and giving me advice I didn’t ask for! I don’t need advice on finding a husband!”

The merchant stroked his beard. “Hmm. Sounds useful.”

“Useful?! It started chanting during a contract! Nearly got me killed!”

The elf smirked. “So? Sell it to a necromancer.”

‘This place is insane..but I love it! Why are there no guards here? I don’t see any sigils, kingdom stuff that’s usually what capitals have.’ Kaelis observed in his head.

Gunthr laughed heartily at the exchange. “Ah, now that is a proper Othvendell argument.”

Zekka sighed.

‘Why do I feel so anxious?! I hate this feeling…it’s like I’m acting paranoid. I need to clear my head, enjoy this moment with my husband and son. I don’t want to ruin it for them.’ Zekka’s thoughts bombarded her emotions, but she hid them for now, focusing on Kaelis.

They continued forward, weaving past a gathering of children playing near a fountain. Kaelis, despite himself, found his gaze lingering on them.

“Oi! You can’t be the hero and the mage! That’s cheating!”

A young boy with a missing tooth shoved another child lightly. The accused—a lanky kid with a wild mess of curls—crossed his arms. “I casted the spell, so I win! That’s how it works!”

A third child, a small girl clutching a wooden toy sword, groaned. “It wasn’t even a real spell! You just shouted ‘Firebolt’ and threw dirt at me!”

The curly-haired boy lifted his chin. “And you still flinched! So it worked!”

Kaelis blinked.

‘There was a kid using real Kenda earlier, so I guess even children can wield it as well. Though his winds weren’t as strong as my fathers. I could tell they aren’t as refined.’

The girl ended up throwing the toy sword at the boy with the curly hair.

Further ahead, a town crier stood atop a wooden crate, ringing a small brass bell. “Hear ye, hear ye! Word from the north!”

‘A town crier? I’ve seen those in so many movies…they usually shout out a bunch of news. That could help me as well, I need more insight on this place. And as it seems right now, I could possibly use this place as a home base. Like my own hub to return to if I need to re-up for anything. It’s damn near perfect! I’m already moving up in the world!’

A few heads turned, some pausing in their business to listen.

“The frozen roads to Voldhen have finally thawed! Caravans heading north will find safe passage, though bandit activity has increased along the routes! The Council of Ledgers warns all traders to hire proper escorts!”

Gunthr scoffed. “Ah, bandits. Ever the opportunists.”

‘Council of Ledgers? Who are they?’ Kaelis wondered in his tiny mind. ‘Are they like the leaders?’

“Another report from the south! Skirmishes between Fjalrik and Sensklem continue! Lords on both sides call for warriors, promising high pay for skilled swordsmen!”

A gruff-looking man, clad in worn leather and carrying a broad axe on his back, turned to his companion—a slender woman wrapped in deep violet cloaks. “Looks like the highland lords in the next kingdom over are getting desperate. How much do you reckon they’ll pay?”

The woman shrugged, adjusting a pouch of throwing knives at her belt. “Depends. If they’re hiring mercs, we might make a fortune. But if they’re calling for Hunters…” She trailed off, shaking her head.

Kaelis took note of this.

‘Hunters…mercs….Adventurers..’

Another crier stepped up onto a different platform, this one holding a scroll sealed in red wax. “Bounties have been updated! The Black Ledger is open!”

‘The Black Ledger….could that be like some quest board or something? A bounty board? That's super boring. Wait! I can use that too, to make a name for myself! I’m such a genius.’

This caused a much greater stir. A few cloaked figures turned sharply at the announcement, and a group of heavily armed warriors moved toward the crier.

“Notable contracts include: The rogue mage Merrik the Hollowed Saint, wanted for theft of relics! Last seen near the ruins of Yttrhallen! A purse of five hundred ledger stones awaits his captor—dead or alive!”

Gunthr muttered under his breath, “Pricey for a thief. He must’ve stolen something exotic.”

The crier continued. “A thousand gold for the traitor Rhovano Ice-Blood, guilty of assassinating his own lord in the kingdom of Vjosgarda! Their king declares if anyone has the weapon and location of him, take him out immediately!”

A murmur spread through the crowd. “Damn,” someone muttered. “I thought Rhovano was dead.”

“Apparently not,” another replied. “Question is, do I risk hunting him?”

Kaelis’ mind worked quickly.

‘So Adventurers were those who took contracts to explore, to retrieve, to find things. But Hunters…they hunt to kill.’

They were different. They hunted people. Beasts. Monsters. Whatever needed to be killed.

Gunthr glanced down at Kaelis, smirking. “You seeing all this, kid?! This is how the world works. Some folks trade, some folks explore, and some folks—” He gestured toward the gathering of Hunters. “Well, some folks make a living by chasing dea—I mean action! Yeah, action.”

Zekka sighed. “Please don’t give our son any ideas.”

Gunthr grinned. “What? He’s gotta learn eventually!”

‘That’s what I don’t want, but it’s necessary if he’s to survive. I think I just need rest.’ Zekka thought.

Gunthr chuckled as he pulled the horse to a slower pace. “See, son? This is how you live! Othvendell never slows down.”

As they continued forward, weaving through the ever-busy capital, Kaelis noticed a group of children chasing something. At first, he thought it was a bird, but when he focused, he realized it was something else entirely.

A small, bright-blue creature darted between them, its translucent wings fluttering, leaving behind faint streaks of light in the air. The kids laughed and reached out, trying to catch it, but it was too quick, weaving between their hands like mist.

Gunthr chuckled. “Ah, a Flicker Sprite. Fast little things. Good luck catching one, though. I think you’d get along with a pet, Kaelis!”

Kaelis barely heard him. His mind was racing.

‘I love this place..’

This world wasn’t just different. It was alive in a way he had never known.

As they kept moving through the streets, Zekka remained quiet, her hands resting lightly on Gunthr’s waist as she sat behind him. Her gaze wasn’t on the market, nor on Kaelis. She was watching Gunthr.

He was happy.

That much was obvious. He was speaking freely, pointing things out, grinning like a fool. It had been a long time since she had seen him like this—excited, unburdened, talking about the city with the same reckless joy he had when they were younger.

She wanted to be happy too. But something lingered in the back of her mind.

‘What happens if we keep letting Kaelis go out like this?’

The world wasn’t safe. It never had been. She and Gunthr both knew that better than anyone.

Gunthr acted as though none of that existed. As though Kaelis would be free, would grow strong, would carve his own path.

‘But what if he wasn’t strong enough?’

‘What if something happened?’

She looked down at Kaelis, at the way his little hands curled slightly, his eyes darting everywhere, soaking in everything.

She sighed, shaking the thought away.

‘Again…not today. Not right now..please be happy for them, Zekka. Clear your head. You love your husband and son, everything is perfect.’

She looked at Gunthr, thinking even more, ‘It was a huge toll on Gunthr..when we couldn’t have children. I feared he—.’

—Gunthr suddenly pulled the horse to a slow stop, his expression shifting slightly. “Huh.”

Kaelis followed his gaze—and noticed something different.

A gathering. A large one.

People had formed a semi-circle around a single figure standing near the center of the plaza. The figure was tall, draped in flowing white robes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, almost like liquid silk. Two curved white horns jutted from their forehead, smooth and polished like marble.

Their eyes glowed—a soft, golden hue, radiant yet eerie. Their skin pale with small golden runes on their cheek and hand.

And yet, their expression was tranquil. Warm. Inviting.

Kaelis felt something shift in the air.

People around them murmured in awe. “An Apostle,” someone whispered. “A true servant of the heavens…”

Gunthr exhaled through his nose, adjusting his grip on the reins. “Whoa..they’re actually here…Didn’t expect to see one of them today..”

Zekka’s fingers unconsciously tightened against her cloak.

The Apostle turned slightly, their golden eyes sweeping across the crowd, their lips still curved in that same peaceful smile.

Kaelis felt something strange in his chest.

‘What the hell is that thing? It looks human..but I’m not really getting that vibe. That thing is too peaceful. Too radiant…it’s gross to me. And people are flocking around it. I get a weird feeling looking at this..Apostle..I can’t put my horrid baby fingers on it.’

The air in the plaza felt different now. It wasn’t just the hum of conversation or the shifting of the crowd—it was something deeper, something unseen. The moment the Apostle had arrived, it was as if the very city itself had paused, its pulse slowing, waiting, listening.

Kaelis could feel it.

The woman at the center of it all stood with an aura of absolute serenity. She was tall, her posture graceful but not delicate—there was strength in the way she held herself, the way she moved, like the weight of the world meant nothing to her.

Her robes were impossibly white, woven from some kind of silken fabric that shimmered like moonlight caught on water. Thin, golden patterns ran along the edges, forming intricate, celestial designs that seemed to shift slightly in the light, never quite the same when looked at again. A long mantle flowed behind her, embroidered with symbols too ancient to recognize, yet they carried meaning—Kaelis could feel it, even if he didn’t understand why.

Two curved white horns adorned her forehead, smooth as polished ivory, faintly glowing at the tips. They weren’t large or grotesque, but they added to her presence, marking her as something beyond the ordinary. Upon her hands were rings—thin, delicate bands of gold, each inscribed with something too small for Kaelis to read, yet they pulsed lightly whenever she lifted them.

And then there were her eyes.

Soft, golden, and endlessly deep. They radiate warmth, yet there was something else in them. Something Kaelis couldn’t name. Her hair, really long and literally glowing with a white light.

‘An Apostle..what do they do?’

The Apostle did not take her eyes off of Kaelis.