The Forsaken Forest.

On a cold and stormy night, a young man intently searched a field of corpses. Skirmishing provided him with clothing and food. But that wasn't the reason he was carefully examining the area.

He was informed about a person who's currently in this forest and needs his protection. The presence of the well-made but empty carriage served as proof. He examined the corpses and the wrecked carriage, wondering how much time had passed and where the occupants had gone.

He found a trail in the snow to follow and moved cautiously through the forest, making sure not to miss anything in his thorough search.

Fortunately, it didn't take him long to find what he was looking for: three children seeking refuge from the snowstorm beneath a tree. Clinging together for warmth, they shivered from the cold, with visible cuts on their skin and torn clothes that clearly showed their desperate state. It was evident that they hadn't eaten in days.

His heart was heavy, and his eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions as he neared them: sadness, concern, and a hint of recognition.

When they looked up at him, the children's eyes widened with fear and tears, as if they had seen a terrifying monster.

Sorrow was a constant companion for this young man. Whenever he encountered pain and suffering, his heart would be heavy with grief.

He hid his swords to avoid frightening them further. He crouched down to their level and asked in a gentle, soft tone.

"Are you hungry?"

The eldest child, a girl with thick, dark brown hair and fiery-red eyes, positioned herself protectively in front of the two younger girls.

Despite her teary eyes and obvious exhaustion and hunger, a fierce determination showed in her features as she tried to put on a strong front for the younger children.

He studied her for a moment, admiring her unwavering courage, a distinguishing trait that had always set her apart from others.

He spoke again, his voice gentle but firm.

"If you want to be fed, clothed, and protected, follow me," he said, offering his hand to the girl.

"I promise I'll not hurt you. I'm not your enemy."

The girl hesitated, her expression a mixture of skepticism and desperation,

but her growl gave her answer.

She took his hand, followed by the other two children. He led them through the snowstorm, back to his place, a secluded cave in this forest. Where he kept a stockpile of food, clothing, and essentials over the past few years.

As they finally stepped into the cave, a spacious place formed by rough and uneven walls of rocks and stones,

Their cool, slightly bumpy texture provided a sense of safety. It formed a large circular area, creating a roomy and enclosed environment with a single entrance.

At the end of the cave, a bedroll made from furs and blankets was spread out, surrounded by a pile of supplies that included sacks of dried meat and fruits, water skins, and various tools and weapons. Nearby, a stone fire pit smoldered and flickered, warming the cave and casting a glow across it.

He gestured towards the sleeping area and supplies.

"Rest and eat as much as you need," he said softly, his voice echoing through the cave,

"Find some warm clothes in the supplies and put them on to keep yourself from getting cold."

The children looked around in wonder, as if the cave were a sanctuary. Their eyes gleamed with hunger as they peered at the stockpile of supplies, but being wary held them back.

"Why... are you doing this?" the oldest girl asked him, her weak voice filled with suspicion.

He looked at her with sincerity in his eyes,

"I cannot stand to witness someone's suffering when I have the ability to help," he said calmly,

"Besides, I know what it's like to be alone and have nothing."

The girl nodded slowly with tears in her eyes,

"Thank you," she said, her voice softening.

His lips curled into a genuine smile, but the girls flinched in fear. His expressions are devoid of any warmth or comfort.

His physical appearance only added to his intimidating demeanor, with a slender yet tall and muscular frame. Jet-black hair descends to his shoulders. While his eyes, deep and dark as the night, and a flickering light within hint that he is a human.

Noticing their fear, he said,

"You all should rest now. I'll keep watch outside." He then walked towards the cave entrance, finding a spot to settle down and keep watch without disturbing them. Outside, a dense, snow-covered forest stretched endlessly, its countless trees withstanding the harsh snowstorm.

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Inside The Cave

"Is it really okay... to take the food and the clothes?" asked the frail-looking girl with long, silky black hair and soft blue eyes, addressing the oldest girl by name, "Aerith?"

"We don't have any other choice... Luna," Aerith replied with a frown,

"Let's rest for today, we need it. And we'll talk to him tomorrow."

The girls wasted no time and eagerly went towards the supplies, digging through them. They had gone far too long without water or food.

The girls were met with various types of dried meat, fruits, and grains. Their growls grew louder as the aroma filled their noses. They also found a variety of clothes with different colors and textures.

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After changing into warm clothes from the stockpile, the girls sat down to eat their fill of dried meat and fruits. They savored the taste of the food, grateful for the warmth it brought to their empty stomachs. Finally, they snuggled together into the comfortable bedroll, basking in the feeling of safety, warmth, and satiety.

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The morning's arrival was announced by the chirping birds and the warm sunlight.

Aerith was the first to awaken, feeling satisfied with the deep, restful sleep that had made up for the sleepless nights before.

Aerith looked to her right to find Luna sleeping soundly in the bedroll,

"Luna...Luna..." Aerith called and shook her friend to wake her up,

"It's morning, wake up," but to no success.

Then Aerith looked to her left to find Celestia, a girl with beautiful snow-white hair and crystal-blue eyes.

"Celestia...Celestia..." Aerith called and shook her other friend to wake her up.

"It's morning, wake up,"

"Five more minutes..." Celestia replied, her voice soft and sleepy.

Aerith frowned; it was just yesterday that they were desperately holding onto their lives. It's too dangerous to relax now.

"Come on, we need to talk to him today," she said, pinching her friends' sides.

Both Luna and Celestia sat up from the pinch.

"It doesn't have to be this early, you know..." Luna said pouting, while Celestia nodded in agreement.

Just as Aerith was about to respond, they all huddled together as the young man entered, and the scent of blood filled the air.

He stumbled with each step, his body drenched in blood. His breathing was labored and heavy. His crimson-stained clothes clung to him.

Through his bloodied face, his eyes still flickered with humanity.

He walked past them towards the supplies. He grabbed a cloth with trembling hands, wet it, and began tending to his wounds. The deep cuts on his skin told of a violent encounter.

Aerith mustered her courage and stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly.

"What... Happened?"

His lips curled into a weary smile as he responded, his voice laced with exhaustion.

"It appears that you had some unwelcome followers," he said while dropping medallions gently onto the ground near Aerith,

"I don't know their intentions, but it was clear they meant you harm."

When Aerith saw the silver medallions, her eyes widened. They were unmistakably the same as those worn by the attackers who had ambushed them on their way back home. But what truly shocked her was the sheer number of medallions—more than twenty in total.

Aerith's heart raced as she processed the implications. The attackers followed them here, and he fought them off by himself, protecting them while they slept.

Luna, still wide-eyed and silent, joined Aerith in staring at the pile of medallions.

Celestia came closer and broke the silence,

"You... you fought all of them?" her voice mixed with concern and admiration.

He nodded, his tired eyes met Celestia's, and his lips curled into a genuine smile, just like the first time he smiled.

However, their reaction was different this time because they realized his smile was genuine. Guilt and heartache filled them as they saw what he had to endure to protect them.

"I did what needed to be done," He said, his tone heavy.

Luna's face was filled with concern as she looked at his bloodied wounds.

"You're.. hurt," she said, stammering,

"Let me help..."

He raised his hand to interrupt her, a gentle gesture to stop her offer.

"I've been through worse. These are merely minor scratches," he reassured her, his voice softening with a comforting tone.

He leaned against the cave wall, eyes closed, exhausted after bandaging the worst injuries.

The girls exchanged glances, their faces filled with admiration, gratitude, and concern. Aerith signaled to Luna and Celestia, who nodded in understanding.

Aerith took a pair of inscribed gloves from her pocket and put them on. Infusing them with mana, she directed two fingers toward the fire pit.

As she cast her spell, a burst of flame shot towards the wood, causing it to ignite and grow.

Luna gathered meat, vegetables, and a large pot, suspending them over the fire. She carefully poured water into the pot that she had infused with her own mana, which is filled with healing energy.

While the others worked on their tasks, Celestia began stitching a shirt. Focusing on her fingertips, they became nimble and moved with precision, guiding the needle through the fabric. Her swiftness and accuracy are testaments to her skills.

The cave was filled with the enticing aroma of the stew as Celestia put the final stitches on a brand new shirt. With careful steps, she approached the young man, who opened his eyes to see her extending the freshly stitched shirt towards him.

A grateful smile appeared on his face as he accepted the shirt,

"Thank you," he said.

Celestia's crystal-like eyes flickered as she now saw him approachable, and a playful smile appeared in her face. She couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She sat near him and asked,

"How did you manage to fight off so many on your own?" Leaning forward eagerly, her eyes sparkled with admiration, as his strength reminded her of her grandfather.

His voice carried a hint of nostalgia as he replied, gently placing his hand on Celestia's head in an affectionate, habitual pat.

"Years of experience and countless lessons taught me how to fight,"

As he saw Celestia's crystal-like eyes shining, concern overwhelmed him, he wouldn't want them to put themselves in danger.

He spoke earnestly, remembering her future. His voice was filled with concern,

"Don't fight when running is an option."

Celestia kept nodding repeatedly, a habitual gesture she makes when she isn't paying attention. The young man sighed as he noticed her familiar nodding, and before he could speak, Aerith joined them and sat nearby.

"We didn't even realize what was happening. While you were out there risking your life, we were sound asleep." Guilt filled Aerith's voice.

The young man spoke calmly, reassuring her,

"It's not your fault. You needed the rest; you've been through enough already."

The scent of the stew filled the air as it reached its peak aroma. Luna approached, passing out bowls to everyone and making sure their savior got the largest portion.

"Thank you... we owe you our lives,"

Luna expressed her heartfelt appreciation.

His tiredness was temporarily overshadowed by the warmth of their appreciation as he smiled broadly at Luna's words. He took up his spoon and started eating the hearty stew.

"Delicious... It's been far too long since I ate something this delicious," He sincerely said.

Luna frowned at what he said; he truly believed that this simple dish of meat and vegetables with no seasoning could be delicious.

As if he had never eaten regular food before.

Her frown softened and was replaced by a gentle smile as she responded,

"Then I'll make you something even more delicious."

He looked at Luna, his eyes reflecting a mixture of longing and nostalgia,

"I'll gladly accept your offer," He replied, a broad smile still on his face.

As they sat, enjoying their meal and engaging in conversation.

Aerith, the eldest of the group, spoke in a calm manner.

"I'm Aerith Aurelius," she said, warmly smiling,

"It seems we haven't properly introduced ourselves yet."

Luna, her soft blue eyes shimmering with gratitude, joined in,

"I'm Luna Syrenna,"

Celestia, her voice filled with curiosity, chimed in,

"And I'm Celestia Hanma. What about you? What's your name?"

After a moment of thinking, the young man replied,

"My name is Kael."

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Name: Kael

Age: Thirteen

Rank: Low-Master Stage