"Are you all right, boy?" I asked, concern etching my voice. The young lad had been slumbering for the past three days, ever since I stumbled upon him and rescued him from his dire circumstances. His response came in the form of a nod, his head bobbing with a sense of urgency.

Turning towards the room's entrance, my wife entered with her nurturing presence. Her voice was gentle as she addressed the boy, "Are you hungry, child?" Once again, he nodded, frowning, this time with a hint of weariness.

"Fear not, young one. You are safe now. Nothing bad shall befall you," I reassured him, my voice filled with sincerity. I had made a solemn vow to protect and care for this boy, and I intended to keep it.

My journey back home had been hectic, to say the least. As a merchant dealing primarily in spices, herbs, and medicine, I traversed the Southern Region alongside my business partner, Jabali. While I specialized in these goods, Jabali's expertise lay in ores, jewelry, weapons, and armors. Together, we formed a formidable team, our trade route reaping plentiful profits.

"Nuru!" My wife called out to me. She had returned from the kitchen, holding a bowl of warm chicken stew for the famished boy. His eyes brightened with delight as he devoured the nourishing meal. It was clear that he had endured months of hunger, his emaciated attested to his past struggles.

Once the boy had finished his meal, he gratefully expressed his gratitude to my wife. My heart swelled with compassion as I extended an invitation to him. "Would you care to go with me, young one? Allow me to give you a tour of our town." His response was a resolute nod, his trust in me evident.

Assisting him to his feet, I guided him out of my humble abode. As we stepped outside, the boy's gaze was immediately drawn to the captivating sight of the sea. Living in a beachfront house, I counted myself fortunate to be granted such a breathtaking view. "Do you find the sea captivating?" I asked, feeling curious.

Once again, he nodded, his eyes shimmering with wonder. "Is this your first encounter with the vastness of the ocean?" I asked once more. His nod confirmed my suspicion, his gaze fixated on the horizon as if attempting to comprehend the boundless expanse before him. As twilight approached, the sky blazed with hues of crimson, casting a mesmerizing spell upon the surroundings.

Together, we strolled along the main street, and the bustling sounds of merchants closing up shop filled the air. The market stalls lined the path, each vendor vying for attention with their last-minute discounts before closing for the day. We passed numerous travelers, diligently stocking up on provisions for their journeys.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the streets, our town came alive with the vibrant energy of its inhabitants. Despite our coastal location, our town served as a bustling hub for adventurers and mercenaries. Many sought the thrill of hunting in the nearby Black Forest or mining the bountiful resources located an hour's journey away. Furthermore, our town served as a vital port, connecting us to the other regions of the kingdom. Trade flowed ceaselessly, with merchants arriving from the East, and hailing from the White Kingdoms. Though our kingdoms were technically at war, no bloodshed had stained our lands in over six decades. The White Kingdoms had been pillaged, plundered, and colonized by the Great Powers of this continent for centuries. I can’t blame them for wanting emancipation and independence.

The boy's fascination with the sea was palpable, his eyes following the ever-changing waves. I marveled at the beauty of the ocean, grateful for the proximity of our home to its sprawling majesty. The cool sea breeze wafted through the air, carrying with it a sense of tranquility. Seafood was plentiful too, our specialty.

We arrived at the Adventurer's Guild; a massive four-story structure made of white marble. It stood tall, second only to the Trader's Guild in the town. The façade boasted a hundred windows, allowing sunlight to pour in and illuminate the always-crowded interior.

As we stepped inside, I offered my hand to the young boy, a friendly gesture to ensure he didn't get separated from me in the jam-packed guild. He took my hand with a hint of hesitation, his grip surprisingly strong for someone so young. Together, we ventured further in.

The first floor was a sight to behold. Every table and chair was occupied, and the air was filled with laughter and lively conversations. Adventurers shared their daring tales, their voices carrying through the room as they indulged in hearty meals and drinks. The lines of adventurers waiting for their turn to embark on quests stretched endlessly, showing the popularity of the guild. It wasn't merely a mercenary company, as some called it, but rather a hub of opportunities for those seeking adventure and fortune.

While most adventurers engaged in activities such as hunting in the forest or mining ores, some undertook more specialized quests like bodyguarding, spying, or even subjugating goblins, orcs, or even wyverns. Though these quests were rarer, they added an air of mystique and danger to the guild's reputation.

"Jabali!" I called out to my business partner, spotting him amidst the partying. He sat at a table, surrounded by several adventurers, their faces flushed with the effects of ale. The table was overloaded with food, and empty jars of ale were spread across its surface.

"Nuru!" Jabali exclaimed, emptying his jar of ale in one swift motion. His speech was slurred, a clear indication of his drunkenness. The young boy by my side nodded, not entirely sure how to respond.

"Have you seen Lumi? Hasnaa mentioned she was here," I asked, frowning.

"Aye!" Jabali hiccupped, his words blending together. "She sold her loot and headed to the docks. I offered her some booze, but she refused. Oh, Nuru... your mother is a beauty, yet she's as cold as ice," He added, his words punctuated by a burp.

The other adventurers at the table exploded into laughter, mocking Jabali's drunken ramblings. A passing waitress, balancing trays of food and beer, couldn't help but interrupt. "She won't pay attention to you if you keep wasting your money on booze!" She admonished.

"She's right," I facepalmed, nodding in agreement.

"Shut up! Lemme alone, you bastard. You just don't want me as your stepfather," Jabali retorted, his words incoherent.

"Hell no!" I laughed, shaking my head. "Thanks for the information. I'll go look for her."

And so, we set off, walking away from the guild. I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations as we made our way through the crowd. People talked about Lumi, the renowned S-rank adventurer, in hushed tones.

"Lumi? Is he searching for that S-rank adventurer?" One voice whispered.

"I can't believe the most powerful person in the region is that white bitch," Another voice sneered.

"I'd love to pound her so far," They chuckled, their voices filled with a toxic mix of envy and prejudice.

Such comments were sadly common in this part of the world. Prejudice against both women adventurers and those from the White Continent was an unfortunate reality. However, as a trading town, the locals had grown accustomed to interacting with people from all corners of the world. While not everyone embraced the idea of a woman from the White Continent being the strongest in town, no one had managed to defeat and dethrone Lumi since she arrived here nearly two decades ago.

I stood outside with the boy, Haki, as we reached the main street. He looked at me with curiosity in his eyes and asked, "Who is Lumi? Is she your mother?"

I took a moment to gather my thoughts before answering. "Lumi is like a mother to me. She saved my life when I was just a lost and helpless child. She found me in the scorching desert of the central region, on the verge of death. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be standing here today."

Haki nodded; his expression filled with understanding. "So, let's go find her!" He smiled.

We made our way down the main street. Instead of turning right towards my house, we turned left, heading towards the docks. The salty breeze from the sea greeted us, a welcome change from the suffocating heat of the desert. I hated the trading route through the desert. However, I had to admit it was the most profitable.

But then, everything changed in an instant. An explosion rocked the air, followed by a violent earthquake that shook the ground beneath us. As I looked towards the horizon, I noticed something horrifying. The sea waves had grown to an unprecedented height, towering over the coastline like colossal monsters. A tsunami.

The townspeople around us screamed, panic spreading through the air like wildfire. Chaos followed as everyone tried to find safety. And amidst the chaos, I noticed a group of brave adventurers making their way towards the beach. Haki and I joined them, our curiosity overpowering our fear.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As we approached the beach, the sight that greeted us was beyond anything I had ever imagined. It was a Walker. The mere mention of these mythical creatures sent shivers down my spine. They were said to be fallen gods, immortal beings that appeared without warning. Walkers came in various shapes, sizes, and colors, but they all shared one thing in common - their relentless march forward. They were like giant colossi, wandering the earth with no rhyme or reason.

This particular Walker was more horrifying than any others I had heard of or seen before. It resembled a massive human skeleton, covered with entangled trees and other kinds of vegetation that sprouted from its bony frame. Its head was that of a three-horned rhinoceros, its horns reaching toward the heavens and extending dozens of yards into the sky. Clouds swirled around its towering presence, giving it an otherworldly aura. Its back was hunched as if burdened by the weight of its own existence.

The Walker's elongated arms swung by its sides, its three-fingered hands brushing against the seawater as it moved forward with an eerie grace. It was a sight that both fascinated and terrified me.

Silence fell over the crowd as if the world held its breath in anticipation of what was to come. The Walkers were known to bring both destruction and life in their path. Sometimes, barren deserts would bloom with flowers and teem with life after a Walker passed by. This time, it seemed that the Walker had attracted the tsunami towards it, diverting its destructive force away from the town, but still its relentless march never stopped.

Yet, there was no escaping the inevitable. Marely 5 or 6 miles away, the Walker was slowly making its way towards us, its steps deliberate and unstoppable. It moved slowly, perhaps a few feet every step it took. It was only a matter of time before it reached the town, perhaps on the morrow, and the consequences would be catastrophic.

As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the horizon, a sense of foreboding settled in my heart. The night would bring uncertainty and danger, and the town would never be the same again.

"Look!" Haki shouted, his voice cutting through the heavy silence that enveloped us. With a sense of urgency, he dashed towards the shoreline getting himself soaked. Instinctively, I followed suit, my heart pounding in sync with the crashing waves. As I reached Haki's side, I grabbed a pocket spyglass I always carried with me, and I looked my eyes widening in disbelief.

There, amidst the vast expanse of the sea, walked Lumi, her ethereal presence defying the laws of nature as she worked a spell to walk on the water. The onlookers erupted into a chorus of joyous cries, their voices echoing through the air like a celestial choir. "It's Lumi! We're safe!" They exclaimed; their relief palpable.

Haki eagerly snatched the spyglass from my hand, his eyes widening as he beheld her. "She doesn't look like you," He observed, curiosity lacing his words.

I nodded, understanding that he was still an ignorant child. "Have you ever seen anyone from the White Continent before?" I asked, and Haki shook his head in response.

"Well, judging from your reddish-brown skin, it's likely that you're from one of the tribes in the West Region," I explained a hint of pride in my voice. The boy nodded, absorbing the information with wide-eyed fascination.

"I, on the other hand, have dark ash-brown skin, so I come from the Central Region. And my wife, Hasnaa..." I trailed off, a fond smile gracing my lips.

Haki finished my sentence, his voice filled with admiration. "She has skin as dark as the night. Such radiant beauty."

I nodded, my heart swelling with love for my wife. "Yes, her parents were traders from the South Region, specifically from the Kohng tribe," I confirmed, my voice tinged with pride.

Curiosity brimming in his eyes, the boy pressed further. "So, what tribe does Lumi is from? And from which region?"

"Lumi isn't from any tribe or region on this continent," I explained gently. "She comes from the far Eastern continent, the White Continent, across the vast ocean. She is from the land of the White Kingdoms."

"The White Kingdoms? Aren't they known as the blue-eyed demons or… perhaps vampires?" The boy fidgeted, his voice laced with a mix of fear and uncertainty.

I shook my head, dispelling the misconception. "Not everyone from the White Kingdoms is evil, my young friend," I reassured him. "In fact, evil can be found within our own kind as well. Prejudice and malice exist even among us, unfortunately."

The boy pondered my words, his eyes searching for understanding. "But they say Lumi is cold and unfriendly," he murmured, his voice tinged with doubt.

I nodded, a sense of sorrow tugging at my heart. "That is partially true," I admitted. "Lumi has endured immense suffering, which has made her wary of forming deep attachments. She treats everyone the same way, respectfully but not too friendly, to protect herself from further pain."

A smile tugged at the corners of the boy's lips as he continued to peer through the spyglass, his eyes fixed on Lumi's figure. The woman who had become a mother to me, despite not sharing any blood ties, steadfastly pressed forward.

Her waist-length silver hair glimmered in the cold breeze that swept across the sea, creating an aura of otherworldly beauty. A crimson cloth covered her eyes, a symbol of the darkness she had endured. Clad in her regular armor, loose-fitting slacks, and a crimson leather coat that symbolized her tribe's traditions, she emanated an aura of strength and resilience.

As she approached the Walker, the water surrounding her seemed to vibrate in anticipation. With a swift motion, she unsheathed her long, dual-edged sword, its steel glinting in the sunset light. And then, with the grace and power of a shooting star, she leaped into action, hurtling towards the fallen God.

In one seamless motion, she swung her blade, severing the creature's head from its body. The sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring. I had witnessed Lumi's prowess in battle before, yet each time, I found myself struck dumb by her unparalleled skill and raw power. It was a sight that defied all logic and reason, leaving me in a state of utter disbelief.

Fireballs roared through the air, crashing into the ancient trees that had taken root on the colossal body of the Walker. A searing wave of heat swept over us, even though we were miles away from the towering creature. The vibrations from the Walker's steps reverberated through the ground, shaking us to our very core. The sound of crackling flames and the harsh scent of burning wood filled the air as if the very essence of destruction had descended upon us.

But Lumi, with her awe-inspiring power, stood fearless in the face of this supposedly immortal creature. Yet, the fallen God kept walking as if her attacks were nothing more than the annoying bites of mosquitoes. It seemed oblivious to the fact that it was missing its head, continuing its relentless march forward. Until, in a stunning display of power, two more fire explosions erupted, obliterating its legs and causing it to sink into the unforgiving depths of the sea. The once imposing figure now resembled a mountain of bones consumed by a raging inferno, the flames dancing upon the water's surface like some kind of ethereal frostfire. And then a massive explosion of frostfire. It emitted a blinding flash of light followed by a rapidly expanding ball of fire and ice that formed a mushroom-shaped black cloud. The fireball glowed orange as it emitted both intense heat and chilling cold. The cloud rose into the sky, in a stem-like column. When the explosion recessed, the ice crackled falling like snow.

“Lumi can use Frostfire?” Haki turned my way, mouth, and eyes wide open. “Wow!”

“Incredible, right?” I beamed.

We were saved.

The young boy, his eyes wide with disbelief, exclaimed, "She defeated it!" I shared his astonishment. I had witnessed Lumi vanquish countless of these supposedly immortal Gods before, but each time left me speechless, my heart filled with pure fascination.

“She makes it seem so easy,” I giggled.

The townspeople erupted into cheers, their joyous cries blending with the triumphant music that filled the air. It was a celebration of victory, a testament to the power of one extraordinary individual.

As the ecstatic crowd basked in the glory of their savior's triumph, Lumi approached the shore, her demeanor unyielding and unwavering. She remained as cold and stoic as ever, seemingly unaffected by the adoration surrounding her. Without uttering a single word, she waved at a few people as she continued to walk forward, her gaze fixed upon the horizon.

I approached her, reaching out to take Haki's hand in mine. "Hey, mom!" I called out, using the endearing term I had adopted for her over the years.

"Don't call me that," She replied, her voice devoid of emotion. Although I bet that beneath her blindfold she would be rolling her eyes in annoyance. I couldn’t help but laugh.

I pressed on. "Are you hungry? Hasnaa's waiting for us at home. Dinner is on her!" I offered, hoping to break through her icy facade. She nodded, acknowledging my words.

"Wow! You slayed a Walker, I thought the couldn't be killed! I thought they were immortal Gods," The boy's glowed bright like diamonds.

“Immortality is a myth," She said. "They can be killed."

Haki, his gaze fixated on Lumi, couldn't help but comment on her ethereal appearance. "Your skin is so pale and bright... it's so weird. You're like the moon," he blurted out, unaware of the impact his words might have. “You have pointy ears, too. Are you an elf?”

I scolded him, chastising him for his rudeness. "Don't be rude!" I reprimanded them, trying to teach him the importance of respect. “She’s a human like us!”

Immediately realizing his mistake, Haki bowed his head in apology. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice filled with remorse. "I didn't mean any disrespect."

Lumi, seemingly unfazed by the exchange, directed her attention to me. "Who's the boy?" she asked in her common monotone.

"He's Haki," I grinned. "I found him in the forest, just like you found me in the desert years ago."

Lumi smiled ever so slightly, barely noticeable to anyone but me.

"My parents died when I was young," Haki said with a sad face. "I was traveling with my merchant uncle when bandits attacked us... I got lost as I ran away."

Realizing the significance of his words, I couldn't help but feel a surge of apprehension towards him.

"You're returning the favor now," Lumi said, patting me on the back. She deftly navigated through the crowd of townspeople and adventurers who sought to approach and congratulate her, offering a wave of acknowledgment but never breaking her walk.

"Is she mad?" Haki asked concern etched on his face as he observed Lumi skillfully avoiding the adoring crowd.

"She doesn't like being praised," I explained. "When she first arrived in this town, the people treated her with disdain. Many of those who now sing her praises were the very ones who spat in her face when she asked for help all those years ago. It's no wonder she has lost trust in people."

"I think they were just afraid of her power," Haki said, his words filled with wisdom beyond his years. “People always fear what they don’t understand.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I acknowledged his insight. "You're quite perceptive for a kid like you," I remarked, admiration coloring my voice.

"I'm ten this year," Haki proudly informed me.

I chuckled softly. "Ah, I was but a toddler when she found me," I confessed, the memory of that fateful day blurry and distant in my mind. "She's not that old, you know. Just sixteen when she found me."

As I spoke those words, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Haki. Deep down, I knew Haki was right. Despite the celebrations that now overwhelmed the town, fueled by gratitude for her vanquishing of the Walker and saving their lives, fear still lingered in the hearts of the people.

It was a bittersweet victory, one that showcased the complex nature of human emotions. As I looked upon Lumi, the woman who had become both my mentor and protector, I couldn't help but wonder if she would ever truly find peace.