The afternoon ended as the sun began to fade over the horizon, giving the sky a bright orange tone. Along the cobblestone path, on a small hill next to a river, a group of four young people were returning home from their extracurricular activities, still wearing their school uniforms.

Kaim, who walks at the center of the group, stretches his arms while yawning. A chill runs through his body.

"I can't believe it's still so cold outside," he complains as he hugs himself, shivering.

Benice, who was walking on his left side, began to look at him with some disdain.

“Are you complaining again, Kaim?” She heaves a loud sigh and moves his head to the sides “We are in the middle of spring, It’s not even that cold anymore.”

"I can't stand the cold, you know that I don't have good defenses Beni." He replies immediately, maintaining his complaining tone.

Satoshi, who was walking at Kaim's right, can't help but laugh lightly. His strong constitution making him stand out over his companions.

"You always use the same excuse for everything," his laugh growing heavier as he pushed Kaim forward a bit harder than he intended, causing him to stumble forward.

Kaim straightens himself, thinking about getting back to him for a second, but decides against it when he looks at his wide smile.

"I had to repeat a year due to illness, I think I have the right to complain about it a bit," he answers with some annoyance still in his voice,

Benice stops her pace and puts her arm around Kaim's neck, catching the others' attention.

"You don't have to feel bad about it Kaim," She comments in a haughty tone. "After all, thanks to that you have been able to share class with a couple of beautiful girls like us," he concludes, pointing to herself and her classmate on the rightmost side.

Without paying attention to Benice, he bends down to free himself from the grip and responds with feigned innocence:

"Indeed, I can say that Nadia is beautiful, but I don't know if I can say the same about Ben," he comments to the sky while rubbing his chin with interest.

Benice frowns, puffing her cheecks, and then stomps hard on Kaim, who can't help but scream and hold his foot. She immediately resumed her step hurriedly, walking with strong strides. Satoshi, who was initially surprised by Benice's reaction, bursts into a loud laughter.

“Don’t you think that was a bit too mean, Beni?” Kaim limps towards her, with a pained expression.

Benice turns her face and accelerates her pace, completely ahead of the group. Nadia runs until she reaches her.

"You know he's only doing it to annoy you," she whispers sweetly.

"He knows I hate it when he calls me that way, he should have known what awaited him," she answers bluntly.

Time passes for a while and silence is present on the journey. The Sun continues to go down and extinguish the amber of the sky. A group of children run alongside them energetically, Nadia, who couldn't help but notice them, asks:

“By the way, how long have you three known each other?” She tilts her head with a hand on her chin “I don’t think I have ever asked you that.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The question takes everyone by surprise, maintaining an awkward silence for a few seconds, until Benice takes the initiative and answers:

"The three of us are childhood friends. The truth is that nothing special happened.”

“I am sure you know the story about this town already. Out families have known each other for generations. It was a normal thing that we wound end up sticking together, after all, we are the only ones that get the tradition going” adds Kaim.

Nadia looks at the sky, thoughtful.

"Although now we're a group of four," Satoshi comments out of nowhere, breaking her out of her thoughs.

Benice nods her head as she casts a sweet glance towards her.

"True," She says with a tender smile.

“But why did you decide to join us on our practice?” Kaim asks, trying to find a reason for himself. “I did not take you as a history or martial arts freak if I am honest”

"It’s not like that!" She exclaims shyly “I became interested in the history of this small town after coming to live here, I found very interesting that there is a tradition about re-enacting the battles of the past. So I wanted to try.”

Benice laughs awkwardly “But to make us learn swordsmanship and all is a bit too much I think.”

“Well, it is a good way to keep us in shape.” Adds Satoshi, flexing his burly arms. “You are also very good at it Beni.”

“More like a bit too good at it.” Continues Kaim. “She often forgets that her side is the one that loses and beat us up completely”

“That’s because you guys doesn’t take it seriously!”

The banter and chatter continues for a while. After reaching a crossroads, Satoshi and Benice turn right and wave goodbye to Kaim and Nadia, who continue along the path.

“Honestly, I'm glad you ended up joining” says Kaim after thinking for a while, breaking the silence

“Oh?, why is that?

Nadia lowers her gaze, nervously fidgeting

“Well I guess it's always good that there are more people who want to keep the tradition going. My family was worried since there are not many of us now”.

"I understand," she replies, somewhat disappointed by the answer, and then resumes her pace with slow strides. “Although I'm still not as good as you or Benice”

"When you manage to be as strong as Beni, we will surely all have graduated," he comments in a mocking tone, accompanied by a smug smile.

Nadia stops walking and turns at him abruptly.

“I can be as strong as Benice if I put my mind to it, you know?” She responds, annoyed by his mockery, and stands on tiptoe, trying to reach his face. "Besides, I'm already able to beat Satoshi in a duel," Concludes, proud of herself.

"Come on, anyone can beat Satoshi," he argues futilely as he pushes Nadia’s head with his hand, forcing her to place her feet on the ground.

"I'll show you, you'll see," she mumbles in a low tone., puffing her cheeks.

The path ends a few steps later, as a few rows of houses come into view. In front of a two-story white house. Kaim waves goodbye to Nadia. She waves back as she continues down the path to her right. The boy takes a key out of his pocket and swiftly opens the door.

"I'm home, I'll stay on my room and come down to have dinner when It’s ready!" Kaim shouts as he enter the house, running upstairs.

"Okay, I'll let you know when dinner is ready sweetie," The faint voice of Kaim’s mother answer from behind a door on the first floor

As he enters his room, he lies down on the bed and lets out a huge sigh.

"I am exhausted after all that” He murmur while closing his eyes, and before he can avoid it, he ends up falling asleep.

Opening his eyes again, Kaim finds himself in a completely black landscape.

“Again this same dream?” he facepalms, annoyed

In the distance, a bright humanoid figure was rapidly approaching until it blinded his vision, painting the world white, only its wide smile visible.

“You know, I would like you to add some action to the moment when you appear, It’s always the same so, I dunno, maybe add a bit of sound, or a background would be appreciated.” He say in a mocking tone, gesturing with his hands while imagining a proper background for such bizarre sight.

"You'll soon have all the action you want, Kaim," the figure responds after a brief laugh, shocking Kaim.

"Wait a damn second," he raises his voice, placing both hands in front of him, "If you could answer me all this time, why have you been ignoring me?"

"The time has come, that's all you need to know," It responds with a voice that extends in all directions.

-Time? He asks again, laughing to himself, "Time for what?"

The luminous figure smile widens whickedly rejoicing in Kaim's ignorance.

“You will soon discover it, find yourself”

With the last word, the figures explodes in a big flash.

Kaim wakes up instantly, breathing heavily and his forehead drenched in sweat.

“What the hell?” He thinks to himself, placing his hand on his forehead and trying to organize his thoughts.

"Kaim, dinner is ready, come down,"

The voice of her mother coming from downstairs shake him off his stupor.

To be continue...