Thirteen years of unrelenting misery have plagued me since fate cruelly claimed my parents. Their passing left me with nothing, forcing me to scrape by on the streets, begging for scraps and taking on odd jobs to survive. My life was a never-ending struggle, a constant battle to make ends meet.

But then, a shopkeeper named Roy offered me a chance to earn ten silver coins - a small fortune - to accompany him on a journey. My greed got the better of me, and I agreed, despite the ominous weather warnings.

Now, as I lay bare-chested against a rock, I realize my mistake.

The snowy mountain landscape stretches out before me, a vast expanse of white that seems to mock my foolishness. The wind howls over the ridge, its icy chill seeping into my bones.

I'm frozen, my body numb, my feet turning red and blue from the cold. Steam rises from my lips as I struggle to breathe.

For a moment, the excruciating pain that had been crippling my body begins to fade. Perhaps it's due to the numbing cold, or maybe I've lost so much blood that my consciousness is slipping away. I'm unsure.

All I know is that I'm trapped, helpless and alone in this frozen wilderness. My only companion is the biting wind, and my only solace is the faint glimmer of regret in my dying eyes...

As I lay there, my life slipping away, I knew that closing my eyes would mean surrendering to the darkness that had haunted me for thirteen long years. Yet, I felt no fear. Death's embrace seemed almost welcoming, a reprieve from the suffering that had become my existence.

On the blood-soaked snow, I resigned myself to fate. I thought, let death take me, let me surrender to its cold grasp. Then, I could finally reunite with those I loved, and find peace. The guilt that had plagued me for so long, the weight of my family's sacrifice, would finally lift.

My dreams of becoming a knight, like my father, now seemed like a distant memory, a fleeting fantasy from a distant past. I had long since exhausted my strength, my will to live.

The war with the empire had taken everything from me.

I had searched for a place to die, a refuge from the chaos that had consumed the continent. But there was none. No haven for a wretch like me. So, I lay there, ready to surrender, my heavy eyelids about to close for the final time.

But then, I looked up, one last time. The night sky stretched above me, a canvas of stars that shone with a beauty that seemed almost cruel.

It was a reminder that even in death, there was still beauty to be found, a beauty that I would soon be a part of.

As I gazed up at the starry expanse, memories long forgotten began to resurface. I hadn't looked up at the sky in years.

But now, at the brink of death, the starlight transported me back to a time when life was simpler, when my parents were still by my side.

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Tears streamed down my face as I felt the faint warmth of their love, their words echoing in my mind.

'Live a long life,' my father had said.

'I will always love you,' my mother had whispered.

I reached out, trying to grasp the distant stars, but they vanished like a mirage, leaving me with a deep sense of despair.

Just as I had given up, a rustling sound broke the silence. I opened my eyes to find a silver-haired giant standing before me, his long hair shining in the moonlight. He offered me a hand, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief.

"Hey, young one,"he said, his voice low and gravelly.

"Are you planning on dying, or will you come with me?"

******

I almost died a few days ago, but a mysterious old man saved me.

He was incredibly tall, around eight feet, with a strong and muscular body. His long hair was silver, and he had a powerful presence. I'm still trying to understand what happened, but I'm grateful to be alive.

This stranger appeared out of nowhere and changed my fate. Who is he,and why did he help me? I don't know.

The old man nursed me back to health, tending to my wounds with skill and care.

Yesterday, I finally regained my consciousness, but he remained silent revealing nothing.

Today, he ventured into the forest to hunt, leaving me alone once more. His silence is puzzling, but I'm grateful for his help. I wonder what he wants from me, and when he'll speak.

Just as I was thinking about him, the old man opened the door and said, "Hey kid, want to come outside and sit with me?"

I hesitated, remembering the bitter cold that nearly killed me. The warmth of the hut felt like a haven, and I didn't want to leave its comfort. But the old man's presence made me feel safe, so I agreed, "Okay, I'll come outside."

As I stepped out of the hut, I was amazed by the scenery before me. Gone was the snow-covered landscape I had expected. Instead, everything was lush and green, and the warm sun shone down on me. I couldn't believe the transformation. "How far have we come?" I wondered, stunned by the sudden change from icy cold to balmy warmth.

I watched as the old man prepared food, then sat beside me on the wooden bench.

He asked gently, "Will you tell me about yourself, kid?"

I took a deep breath and began, "My name is Mark. I'm the son of a knight commander in Count Kaul's army."

My voice trembled as I continued, "During the internal conflict in House Kaul, my family got caught up in the fighting. They all sacrificed their lives to save me, my parents, and our servants. I'm all that's left." The old man listened intently, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion.

"I had nowhere to go, so I ended up living in the slums. I was just 13 years old. The thugs there forced kids like me to beg for them. I begged for years, but as I grew older, it became harder to survive on scraps. I had to find odd jobs to make ends meet.

One day, a shopkeeper named Roy offered me a chance to travel with him to the City of Ezhul. To get there, we had to cross a snow-covered mountain. A fierce blizzard hit us on the way, and then... something ominous hit our wagon. It felt like a dark shadow had descended upon us. The next thing I know, I was lying on a rock, barely alive, ready to die. The world around me was fading to black.

That's when I saw you."

The old man listened to my story, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. Then, he asked me a question that made me pause.

"So, you said that when you were barely alive, you wanted to die and join your family?" he repeated, his voice gentle but probing. "But now, kid, I want to ask you something. What do you want to do now?"

The old man's words hung in the air, waiting for my response. I thought about my past, my struggles, and my desires. What did I want to do now? Did I still want to give up, or was there something more?

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before answering…

"I want to live, not just exist. I want to be strong, like my father, but I refuse to follow in his footsteps. I won't give my life to save others, like he did. I want the power to save those I love, without compromise. I want the power to control my own destiny. Absolute power, that's my desire."

hearing me the old man burst out laughing, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Haha, okay, I'll give you the power," he said, his grin spreading from ear to ear. "But are you sure you're ready for this?"

I was stunned, unsure of what to say. I asked, "How can you give me power?"The old man grinned again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I have my ways,' he said, his voice low and mysterious. Then, he leaned in, his eyes locked on mine. "So, tell me... do you want the power?'

I raised an eyebrow, sceptical. "Nothing comes for free," I said.

"So, what do you want from me?"The old man's grin didn't falter, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yes, yes, nothing comes free,''he repeated. "What I want is simple. I'll give you the power you need, but in return, you must become a bodyguard for a young child I know. You'll escort her to Aurora Island in one month from now on."

"Aurora Island?" I repeated, confused.

"I've never heard of it." The old man waved his hand dismissively.

"Ah, don't worry about it. I'll fill in the details later. The question is, are you in or not?" He leaned forward, his eyes piercing. "Will you accept my offer and become the child's bodyguard?"

I pondered and decided I need the power, even if it means making a deal with the devil. And I said out loud, "Okay, I'll accept your offer and I'll escort her to Aurora Island."

Hearing this, the old man grinned again and said, "Deal's a deal, then. I give you power."he said,"But before that, let me introduce myself I'm Khaos, the King of the Hell."