As Ryn watched his father depart for the hunt, a mix of emotions swirled within him. He yearned for something more than the predictable routine of their village, a longing to explore the mysteries that lay beyond the familiar territory.
He couldn't shake the feeling that there was a world waiting to be discovered, one where his true potential could be unleashed.
While Ryn's disinterest in martial arts had grown, his mind remained sharp and curious. He hungered for knowledge, seeking answers to questions that seemed to echo within his very being.
The enigmatic shadow entity, a presence that had always lingered at the edge of his consciousness, whispered secrets yet concealed its true nature.
Lost in thought, Ryn's gaze shifted to the worn books scattered on his desk.
They contained ancient texts, fragments of forgotten wisdom, and cryptic symbols waiting to be deciphered.
Guided by an insatiable curiosity, he would spend hours poring over the pages, attempting to unravel their hidden truths.
With each passing day, Ryn's understanding deepened, and his connection to the shadow entity grew stronger.
Visions flickered in his mind, glimpses of forgotten battles and arcane techniques.
There was a dormant power within him, a potential waiting to be awakened.
Yet, the path ahead remained uncertain.
Ryn knew that the choices he made would shape his destiny, not just as an individual but as a catalyst for something greater.
He sensed that his journey would intertwine with forces beyond his comprehension, forces that held the key to unlocking his true purpose.
As he stood at the precipice of a profound transformation, Ryn couldn't help but wonder about the enigma that had been watching him.
What did it desire? Unbeknownst to Ryn, the enigma's cold and crimson gaze had marked him, drawing him into a dance of light and darkness, where the boundaries between the known and the unknown blurred.
Ryn's path was set to diverge from the ordinary, leading him into a world of ancient secrets, unforeseen dangers, and unforetold destinies.
As he embarked on this enthralling journey, he would discover that his true potential extended far beyond the realm of martial arts, encompassing powers that he had only begun to fathom.
or so it should've been.
33 weeks have passed since then and now Ryn had nothing left to read in this whole village except the books his father acquires from the merchants occasionally. and now he found himself standing outside the door of their home.
His father, Dastarn, and Chief Tarik stood beside him, their faces etched with anxiety and worry.
They awaited news of a safe delivery, their emotions swirling within them like a tempest.
Ryn glanced up at his father, noticing a mix of expressions he had never witnessed before.
It was a side of Dastarn he had never seen vulnerable, concerned, and deeply invested in the outcome.
Ryn's mind drifted back to the conversation he had with his mother years ago, a conversation that had left him puzzled.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
"Mom, why does everyone call me the 'miracle boy'? That's not my name, it's Ryn," he had questioned innocently.
Enara, his mother, had looked down at him with a warm smile, setting aside the clothes she was mending.
She gently motioned for Ryn to come to her, and he wobbled his way into the embrace of her open arms.
Enara cradled him in her lap, enveloping him in a tight hug.
"You see, my son, when you were born," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of hesitation.
Enara proceeded to share the remarkable tale of his birth, recounting how he had struggled to breathe, leaving her fearing the worst.
Yet, in a miraculous turn of events, he had gasped for air, defying all odds.
News of this extraordinary event had spread like wildfire throughout the village, earning Ryn the moniker of the "miracle boy."
Now, standing outside their home, Ryn understood why his father was so visibly worried.
Enara was in the capable hands of two trusted individuals during such crucial moments, Danna and Retta.
Their presence offered a modicum of relief, yet the weight of concern still clung to their minds.
Inside the house, Danna's daughter, Vera (Norman's mother), and Vera's friend, Sana, provided assistance.
While Vera tended to the needs of Danna and Retta, fetching towels and buckets of water, Sana took on the role of gatekeeper, ensuring that the midwives had the space and tranquility they required, even if it meant keeping concerned onlookers outside.
As Ryn stood outside the door, he felt a surge of emotions coursing through him.
The air was heavy with anticipation, each passing moment stretching like an eternity.
He exchanged glances with his father and Chief Tarik, their shared worry and anxiety etched deeply on their faces.
It was a rare sight to witness Dastarn, usually strong and steadfast, reveal a vulnerability that Ryn had never seen before.
Ryn found himself caught in a swirl of emotions, hope, fear, and a profound sense of responsibility.
He longed to be by his mother's side, to offer comfort and support, but he understood the importance of giving space to the skilled hands working inside.
So, he stood there, a silent sentinel, his heart beating in rhythm with the collective heartbeat of his family and the village.
Each passing second felt like an eternity, until finally, a cry pierced the air, a cry that carried the weight of relief, joy, and new beginnings. Ryn's eyes widened, a mixture of wonder and awe filling them.
From the depths of the unknown, a resounding cry that shattered the silence, reverberating through the air as a triumphant proclamation of life's arrival. It echoed with the indomitable spirit that resides within every human being, a testament to the unwavering strength and boundless capacity for resilience.
As the cry reverberated through the air, signaling the long-awaited arrival, a wave of relief washed over the father and son.
Their anxious hearts found solace in the sound, assuring them that the precious bundle of life had finally made its entrance into the world.
Yet, despite the relief, Dastarn's worry for his wife, the mother, still clung to him like a persistent shadow.
With a mix of anticipation and trepidation, Dastarn reached for the front door, his hand trembling slightly.
Vera, understanding the depth of his emotions, gracefully stepped aside, granting him and his son passage into the house.
Ryn, mirroring his father's movements, followed in his footsteps, their pace slowing to a halt just a few steps away from the closed door.
Behind that door resided the source of the tender cries, the newborn baby.
There they stood, father and son, united by a shared moment of anticipation. One listened intently to the resonating cries that echoed through the walls, a symphony of new life.
The other, Dastarn, found himself contemplating the next step. Should he enter the room without delay, eager to lay eyes on his precious wife and child? Or should he exercise patience, trusting that Danna and Retta would relay the news when the time was right? The weight of the decision pressed upon him, causing a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
As the door swung open, revealing the midwives cradling a tiny bundle, Ryn's breath hitched in his throat.
In that transformative moment, he realized that his journey as the "miracle boy" had merely commenced. His eyes danced between the newborn, still wrapped in towels, and the worn-out figure of his mother.
Relief washed over him as he noted that despite her exhaustion, she was far from a life-threatening condition.
Dastarn's gaze, too, briefly glanced over the newborn, but his focus swiftly settled on his wife. He found solace in her tired yet resilient presence.
Drawing closer, he settled by her side, gently planting a kiss on her forehead and clasping her hand in his.
"Thank you, my love,"
he murmured, his voice filled with unspoken sentiments that mere words could not encapsulate.
Enara, meeting his gaze, understood the depths of his emotions without the need for further expression. A radiant smile adorned her exhausted face, transforming her into a vision of ethereal beauty.
Her gaze then shifted towards the side where their newborn was being tenderly cleansed and swathed in towels by Danna. Ryn, ever curious, stood nearby, trying his best to catch glimpses of his new sibling.
The sight of their son's childlike wonder brought a surge of joy to both Dastarn and Enara. Their smiles intertwined, a reflection of the happiness that now enveloped their growing family.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Ryn stepped forward, ready to greet the newest addition to their family, his sibling, and to embark on the adventures that awaited them all.
As Ryn approached the midwives, his heart swelled with a mix of emotions awe, wonder, and a profound sense of responsibility.
The tiny bundle in their arms captivated his attention, and he couldn't help but marvel at the delicate features of his newborn sibling.
The room seemed to fill with an indescribable warmth, as if the very air acknowledged the arrival of a new life.