It was a cold stormy night of October. The dark night sky was often illuminated by white streaks of light as the rain got heavier and heavier. The usual stillness of the night was being disturbed by sound of raindrops colliding with the surface and often thunder. The winds howled and with them they brought a cold chill to anyone living in the town. But in the orphan house of the town the children didn’t felt chills at all, rather they were completely immersed in the story of the great hero.

“And then after a long fight the hero finally managed to defeat the demon, but the demon was more vile and more evil than the hero thought him to be. Before the demon died, he killed all the hero’s friends and his wife and casted a curse on the hero’s daughter…”

A young lady, who was in her early twenties, narrated the story. Her name was Rebecca. Rebecca was sitting near the fireplace and all children whether they were 5 years old or 13 years old sat around her and the fireplace while making a semi-circle.

The children all had different expressions as they heard the tragic fate of the hero. Some were afraid and felt bad for the hero while the older ones who have heard the story a lot of times before were simply bored.

Rebecca took a glance at the hourglass and then said “Alright. Now it is time for you all to sleep.”

“NO! I want to know what happened to the hero! ” one child rebelled .

“Yes. I want to know too! ” Another child joined in the protest.

Gradually, every child who was hearing this story for the first time raised their complaints.

“No.” Rebecca refused as she closed the book and got up from the chair.

“It is already way past your bedtime and don’t forget some of you need to go on hunting tomorrow.”

Children were not happy with this but before they say anything Robert interfered, “Rebecca is right. It is already too late, and we have to get up early tomorrow.”

Robert was one of the oldest kids in the orphanage and that’s why he was like a big brother figure to all the children there. The children agreed and started getting up to go to their bedroom. “Josh lead them to the hall and make sure they sleep. Lisa you help him too.” Robert said .

Josh and Lisa were the oldest kids after Robert, so he naturally trusted them with this work.

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“I knew it. I already knew you were gonna tell us to look after them.” Lisa said as she and Josh lead the kids to their bedroom.

Now only Rebecca and Robert were the only ones left in this room. Rebecca had a warm smile on her face and a proud expression. “Robert, I have said this a lot of time but...”

Before she could complete her statement, Robert said “I know Rebecca. But I want to really just stay here and do hunting to support the orphanage. This place is like … no this place is my home, every orphan is my sibling and you my older sister!”

Rebecca smiled and hugged Robert making him blush.

“You are a really good child Robert.” She let go of him and then patted his head.

“But you should really join the knights academy next year.”

Robert was not happy at the advice but before he could say anything she continued “this is but a small town. At the knight’s academy you would be able to grow and become an influential character, and then you can help us.”

Robert was about to refute but as if she could read him “I know you will miss us, and we will miss you too but think about it, Robert.”

Robert looked down seemingly in deep thought and wore a complicated expression. Rebecca smiled at his look and then said “Well, you should also go to bed. I will go and call Dante.”

Hearing his name Robert suddenly came out of his thinking and said in a hurried tone as he saw Rebecca leaving “NO!”

“Huh?” Rebecca turned around and looked at him, “No . . . I mean ... I will go and get him.”

Rebecca smiled and said “Alright. I will go and prepare for tomorrow.”

Robert sighed and walked towards the balcony of the orphanage.

As he reached the balcony, he saw a young kid of around the age of 11 punching at a wooden log. His hand moments were graceful and there was not even a single wasted motion as he kept on punching the log. As he got closer to the kid, he could see the handsome features of the kid. The kid had black hair with a single streak of silver hair in the middle. His skin was really fair. His jawline was defined and coupled with his blue eyes he was more than capable of capturing the hearts of young maidens and even the experienced ones wont able to take their eyes off him.

“Still practicing huh …” Robert said as he stood there watching him punch the log.

Hearing that Dante finally stopped and looked at his hands.

Robert followed his gaze and looked at his hands too, ‘his hands are not even injured…’ he thought.

“Is it time to sleep already?” Dante asked.

“Yes. Everyone went to their beds.” Robert answered.

“I understand. I will be there in a minute.” Dante said without any emotions still looking at his hands.

Robert nodded and but before he turned around to leave, he asked “Why are you hiding yourself from others? If Rebecca knew that you were naturally blessed with strength, then she would have asked you instead of me to join the knight’s academy.”

‘Why I won’t reveal huh…’ Dante thought to himself and closed his eyes. As he did a series of memories and images flashed past his mind.  

In one image there was a kid who was not only talented but also intellectually blessed. Everyone used to praise him and were in the awe of his natural gifts.

The image transformed and now the kid had grown up. He was bending on one knee in front of a man who sat in a high throne, the king. His talents were way much more than they thought previously and now even the king was in his awe. This image was of the time when the teenager swear loyalty to the king and in return the king engaged his daughter with the king.

The image transformed and turned into a series of images which showed all his great adventures and him finally marrying the king’s daughter. But then out of blue the invasion of demons happened. Seeing the invasion humans panicked but they soon formed a unified army to repel the demons and the one who lead them was of course that teen, after all he was the son of heavens, the chosen one. But in a shocking turn of events it turned out that the one who broke the seal of demon’s gate was none other than that teen! The humans soon found out about it and he was given a public execution. But little did these people know that the teen was captured by the king and was being kept in dungeons for 10 years by then!

The image transformed into one final image. It was a dungeon. A tall human like figure was lying on the floor, he was chained and barely able to move. His blood was being constantly drawn out by those chains. Then another figure appeared, it was the king. The king drank his blood and could feel his powers growing.

It was a tale written by his blood.