The bright morning sky was blinding as I looked up at it, unable to figure out what time it is after having walked tirelessly through the forest, nor for how long I've gone on. Maybe I've even been walking in circles all these times. I don't know anymore. I just can't seem to sleep.

I'm hungry, but I'm too tired to hunt. All I can do is keep moving forward. That's what I've decided to do. I'm angry and lost because of their deaths, but if I let that drag me down, they'll be looking down on me. But what happens to me now?

"No, I still have... these," I said, looking at the sword that I've been given by my father, his necklace, and this letter which I haven't had the time to read yet. Maybe later.

After lamenting for a while more, the forest ended, revealing a vast space of land where a town stood in the far distance, far larger in terms of its size from where I stood.

I heaved in a breath air and ran forward. Everything in my mind was all about my father's message, about how I should meet someone by the name of Theodore. I'll do just that. So, for now, I won't let myself get swept by my emotions. This isn't the time for that.

Coming in closer to the town, I became more and more awe-struck by it. It was the first time in my life that I had seen the town of Lavis, which I knew existed.

A tall stone wall, that looked a few years old as cracks could be seen, and moss covered parts of it, stood a few meters away, armed guards positioned on and in front of it. People were coming in and out from the open metal gate.

As I finally came close to it, they took notice of me, but their expressions told me that they suspected me of something which I was not aware of.

"Halt! Identify yourself. What business do you have here?" one of them came forward, placing his hand in front of me, calling the attentions of a few guards, alerting them of my presence, one of them retreated back inside after a nod.

"Zachary... my name's Zachary. This is Lavis, right?" I asked, panting, my eyes close to shutting.

"Yes. But what have you come here for? You're awfully suspicious. No clothes, wounded, holding a sword and barely even standing up. If you're a revenant, then it's best to come clean rather than draw this out. So, what's your answer?" he said, pointing his spear at me, forming up with a few guards that came out from the gate.

Some of those that were entering and exiting the town began evacuating inside hurriedly, giving me terrified looks as they ran away, as if they've just seen a ghost.

Unable to hold on, I fell to my knees, then collapsed on the ground, face first. Everything began getting dark, and soon, I couldn't even hear their voices clearly, but sure enough I could tell that they were distressed. Maybe this is it.

"P...P-Please, help me."

... Soon, it shall all begin, and you are on the very precipice of it. What are you capable of exactly? Can you live up to everyone's expectations? You must, after all, it is your life's mission. We have no other goal in life except to strive for that one success.

...What? Who am I? Oh, you don't need to know that. Who I am isn't really important. Who you are isn't important too. after everything, we'll simply be forgotten and replaced. We are merely here to help you through this arduous task. There are many others, not just I. We have done many things, but we cannot do those things any longer. You are a special case. So, don't fail us. We'll be there for you. Never think that you're the only one.

...You may think that it's only beginning, but no. It has already begun, and you are late. No rush, there's still time. Will you make it, is the question...? I guess we should leave this like this for now. You still have much to do and learn. Now, awaken and go forth!

I awoke abruptly, springing up, exhausted and covered in sweat. My eyes started adjusting to my sights and surroundings.

"Where, am I? And who was that?" I asked no one but myself. I was in bed, covered by a blanket, my body cleaned and wrapped in bandages. I oddly feel refreshed for some reason, but a small ache in various parts of my body still seem to be present.

I came to the sight of a small wooden built room, furnished with a bed, cabinets, chairs and tables, nothing too out of the ordinary. But how did I exactly get here?

I tried recalling everything that happened before I blacked out, remembering the sight of the town and the guards that came to stop me. But after that, nothing comes to mind.

At a glance, I notice the letter, the necklace, and the sword placed on the drawer beside me, taking them as I felt relieved knowing that I didn't lose any of them.

The sound of a door opening behind me cut off my thoughts, bringing my attention to it. A gentle looking woman with faint, gold, long hair, wearing a white blouse and a long brown skirt entered the room, clearly surprised as she is taken aback, cautiously having retreated a step when she came in. But she now entered the room, focused on me.

"Have your wounds healed? I recommend that you remain in bed for a bit longer. From what I've gathered, you seem to have a lack of sleep. You were snoring very loudly, so I thought that you would still be asleep," she placed a clean white shirt on the foot of the bed I slept on.

"I've brought you a change of clothes. Would you like something to eat?" she asked, not too cautious like she was earlier.

"Thank you, but where am I exactly? I don't know what's going on."

"Oh, please let me introduce myself first. My name is Fiona Claste, but you can simply call me Fiona. I'm a nurse here. You are in the town of Lavis, and this is the town hospital. The guards brought you here after you collapsed in front of the gates. Don't you remember? But what is your name?"

"Zachary. But Zach is fine."

Was it a coincidence or a fateful turn of events? Is she truly that person? that very person whom I was to tell of the passing of his husband? Her gentle smile and demeanor made it even harder for me to tell her after just meeting her now.

"Is something the matter?" she asked with a quizzical face.

"Ah, no, it's nothing. I was just thinking about something," I have to tell her, otherwise it'll just be harder for me and her.

"Very well. I have already prepared food downstairs. Please join us. There are many others here," she left the room, bowing her head, without a worry in the world.

I wore the clothes she gave me and took my belongings, save for my father's sword, and went downstairs.

Entering a large room, a handful of people sat, ate, and mingled amongst themselves. Light entered the room from the windows.

I sat on one of the empty chairs, looking around me as I thought about what to do with her and the message I've promised to pass on.

"But man, the town of Caspia has it hard. I feel sorry for the people, but I wouldn't want to be stationed there. Demons have been rampant lately that you start doubting your safety wherever you are," one of the men behind me, wearing a cast said, talking with some of his companions whom listened in earnest.

"We can't do anything about that. It's starting to get worse for everybody, not just them. We did get attacked by some demons two days ago. They were few, but we're still reeling from the casualties. To think that we would take that much considering that we're part of an elite force. I'm a bit disappointed in myself, to be honest," a large, stoic man said with a low voice.

"You're right. Do you think Caspia's still standing? The report did say that the demons came from that direction, so that might mean... you know, that the town's gone," the cast wearing man asked hesitantly.

"We'll find out soon enough. Once the captain and the others are finished with hunting down the fleeing revenants, and once we've finished recovering, we'll be heading there to scout and support. I just hope everything goes well for us. God knows that we'll need every bit of help we can get."

"Now that you remind me, what's taking them so long. His wife's getting worried sick waiting for him. I don't know how things will be if word comes out that something bad happened to him. I mean, that can't be the case, can't it? He's pretty strong."

"We'll just have to wait. If not, then we'll go look for him and the others."

"But man can we use the help of a Thalisean more than ever. If they were still around, then they could have kept the demons in check, then they wouldn't have grown this bad."

"I know how you feel. It's how everyone here feels. But we can't keep clinging to something that's not there. It's up to us... But I agree with you. I still continue to hope that there still exists a Thalisean that can save us from this terror."

I kept listening to their conversation, feeling my responsibility build up more and more. How can I tell them that their so-called captain is gone? But before I could further think, I felt the stare of someone on me.

Turning around I found a little girl with dark brown hair, wearing casual clothing, staring at me in wonder. She was close enough to me that she started poking at my arm for some reason.

"I-Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked, only receiving a blank, dumbfounded expression from her.

"Ah, Erica! I've been looking everywhere for you," Fiona came up and brought the child close to her. "Sorry about this. I hope she wasn't disturbing you too much. She can be a bit too rowdy with some people," she said to me.

"Don't worry, she wasn't like that at all. She was very quiet. Is she your daughter?"

"Yes. I was afraid of bringing her to work since I thought she might cause trouble, but I've been requested by the head nurse to take care of some patients for today. But she really wanted to come since she overheard my husband saying that he'll come by here to visit his companions after he's done. She always would love the company of her father. She looks more like him than me," she laughed.

"Mama, where's papa?" she said, looking up at Fiona.

"Don't worry, Erica. He'll be back soon, then you'll be able to play with him," she gave her a look of comfort, one that only seemed to hurt me even more.

Damn. How hard and complicated can this get? It's like it's getting harder on purpose. I have to build my resolve soon. I can't let this go on forever.

After eating, I sat around for a while, gathering my thoughts. Dusk has come, and the sun began to set. I had resolved to do it and had begun looking for her.

I came back down to the large room where I had eaten previously, finding her sitting on a table with another nurse presumably, carrying her daughter in her arms as she slept peacefully.

"Oh, Zach. Is something the matter? You look a bit worried," she took notice of me the moment I stepped down. She had that gentle and warm atmosphere to her, something that soothed her daughter.

"Can I talk to you for a bit? I need to tell you something important."

She followed me outside the hospital after handing her daughter to her companion, her face turned serious, but calm. Maybe she knows about what I have to tell her, or maybe she's adjusting to me since I have the same expression.

"Um, what is this about, if I may ask. Is there something bothering you, Zachary? what do you mean by important?"

"Your husband, he's a soldier, right?"

"Yes. Do you know of him? I haven't seen him all today, yet he said that he'd return last night. I know he's boasted about him and his companions, but I can't help but worry about him."

"Not that well, but I guess you can say that... I don't know how else to say this, but... he's gone. I'm sorry. I couldn't help him at all. I was too late when I found him there, but his last words were about you and your daughter," I had said it, but the weight that supported it still remained. I have to wait it out till she had either finished venting her anger on me, or after she's alright with how this all ended up.

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

But what I initially expected to happen was different. She fell to her knees with eyes that said 'she couldn't believe such a thing to be true', but the tears that fell from her eyes said otherwise. She was silent through and through.

"Is he really gone? Is Henry really gone?" she asked, looking up at the sky, trying to find comfort there as she did her best in concealing her voice of agony and lament.

"Why does this have to happen to me? First the demons take my parents, then they take me husband away. Has God truly abandoned the world and the rest of us?" he sobbed, covering her face with her hands, venting her anger on the demons after hearing the details of when and where I found him. But I kept the part about what happened to me and my parents secret. I harbored the same feelings and reasons that she had, but what could I do. With where I am now, I'm nowhere near close to making a difference.

"I'm truly sorry that I couldn't have done a thing. If only I had arrived faster, then I could've done something."

"Please don't scold yourself for that. There can't be anything done anymore. He's passed, and my resentment for those that took his life still remains, but for you to take your anger out on yourself on the death of my husband, it relieves me. But there is no need for you to worry. It's not your fault," she smiled bravely, yet still tearing up. I could feel my heart sinking as I further felt the guilt of being unable to save him.

But as I cast my eyes down and curled my hands into fists, I felt a warm embrace from the same person whom told me not to feel guilty. I could feel her emotions shrouding me, reminding me of the same comfort of which my mother would give me whenever I made a fault.

"Thank you... Thank you for being angry for me, for feeling sadness for me. But this is just how things are. We cannot do anything anymore, so all that's left after losing the fight is to simply give in and wait. With the Thalise gone, and the people filled with corruption and greed, we are also being destroyed from the inside. But for his sake, and Erica's, I shall continue to believe that in the end, it will all be fine," she parted from me, she wiped the tears from her eyes and bowed her head, heading back inside the hospital, leaving me by myself outside to think about what she had told me.

"Damn it... No matter what she says, I just can't sit back and take that. I know there's something I can do, there must be something," but without anything to move forward with at the moment, I went back to my room and laid down, still restlessly wracking my brains.

Looking at the wooden ceiling, it occurred to me. I held father's letter and stared at it, thinking about both of them, then finally opening it to read its contents, steeling myself for whatever may lie inside.

Dear Zach.

If you are reading this, then I must be gone, or I have decided to simply give this to you since I think it's the right time to do so, and I cannot express my feelings directly. You are special, you have always been for the longest time. The truth is, you are not born from your mother. You were given to us by someone in the past, and were tasked with raising you for a reason. In this current time as I write this letter, I cannot help but feel grateful for that person who gave you to us. I could not simply put into words the happiness your mother and I felt when we raised you like our own. But we were naive, and I especially, selfishly kept you for ourselves, restraining you from your true purpose, one that is filled with unspeakable terror. I agonized over the fact that I kept you hidden from the world, but I just couldn't face the fact that an innocent child like you could do such a thing, nor endure it. I didn't want you to grow up like that, so I chose to keep your purpose a secret from you. But it seems that I cannot keep it any longer. Train yourself and become strong enough to protect those around you, and those you care about. I know you'll become someone great soon. Your mother and I know from the beginning that you were meant for great things. I don't know If I ever told you that I was proud of you, but I am. Now, to end this. You, my son, are a Thalisean. Your fate is to defeat the demons and their king and restore the peace back to the land. To live through it or die trying, that is your one fate that you can never abandon no matter what. I believe that you can do it. I only ask that you keep your power a secret until you grow strong enough. People as well have been corrupted. Them knowing that there's a savior out there won't motivate them to unite. Some will try and use you for their own agendas. Find a man named Theodore Hark, he will know what to do. He is a close friend of mine, so you can trust him.

Sincerely yours, your father, and mother, Frederick Erinn, and Elaine Erinn.

We will always be thinking about you, Zach.

I stared at the letter for a while, taking in everything I've just read. It feels like I've been petrified, but at the same time it feels like a joke's been played on me. Am I truly a being which can decide the very fate of every single living being here? No, that can't be. Me? Someone who doesn't even know that much about the outside world since he lived in isolation? That can't be right. But my father, I've never heard him tell a lie. But that may just mean that he's a terrific liar to be able to keep his ruse for so long, or the other.

I closed my eyes, tears falling from my eyes as I took in the message, remembering when I last saw them, smiling happily till the end. "Until now you're like this? I can't believe you two. Even if you say that you're not really my parents, it's going to be hard to convince me the way you raised me. You two are the only ones that raised me, and I'm grateful to that too," I noticed that I was smiling as I cried. Maybe even when they're gone they give me strength.

Tomorrow, tomorrow I'll start. I don't know if I should believe this or not, but I have to make sure. If I truly am the one, then that means there's no hesitation that I must defeat all of them... but why am I getting cold feet? I've seen some of them, the demons, but one of them is already something that I can't defeat alone.

"Ahh! Enough debating already, Zach!" right, I have to get a hold of myself. There's no use in being decisive. Coe tomorrow, I'll find that man and then see what he has in store for me.

I folded up the letter and tucked it away somewhere safe for now, preparing to sleep for the night. I had nothing with me when I came here except for my father's necklace and his sword. But I'll make it through. I have to, for everyone's sake.

The next morning, I woke up with her absence. It seems that she had asked her superiors to be allowed to go home for a while. I know the reason, but I didn't want to pry further. I think I've said my fair share of things, and the rest is out of my control.

After saying my farewell to the nurses in the hospital I went around town, exploring it with a brimming curiosity as everything was unlike anything I could have ever imagined. Structures built up high with rocks and wood, people walking here and there, talking and filling the atmosphere with their energy.

Merchants were manning their own stalls on the side, calling out to people to buy their wares, the markets were crowded with your everyday person.

It was an amazing sight. "So this is a town, huh? pretty grand if you ask me," I said while walking around. Even the people were enthusiastic after the attack here. I only heard small details about it from some passersby, but it's as they say. They were attacked by demons that came from another town named Caspia.

"I've got trinkets here! Get some if you want to impress that special someone, or buy one that can immensely raise your luck!"

"Fresh wares from the oven! I've got tons of equipment that can fell any demon! Sharp as a daemon's tooth, maybe even sharper!"

I walked through a district where merchants were the liveliest. There's no reason, but my feet walked me through here. Though it was a bit crowded, I managed to keep going through.

But before I could continue further, I heard a shout that seemed to call out to me, and with a glance to the side I saw on old woman under the shade of her own tent, wearing a mystifying cloak and some ornaments on her. In front of the old woman was a table, and on top of the table was an odd and shiny ball that reflected my face.

She silently beckoned to me, both her eyes closed, and her expression deadpan. I walked towards her, looking at the ball as I did.

"Were you calling for me?" I asked her.

"Yes... You. I can feel something strange from you. Tell me, child. Do you believe in things such as fortunes, fate, and destiny?" she said slowly and calmly, still casting her gaze on the ball, hovering her hands around it.

"I-I don't know. I don't know what I should even believe right now. What are you anyway, and who are you?" I asked, curious about her words.

"I see. Your heart and soul, they are full of doubts. Who I am matters little. I am what you might call a fortune teller. Have you never seen one before?"

"I'm afraid not. This is my first time being in any town. What does a fortune teller do?"

"Is that so? Hmm... What I can do? I can see into a person's fate and destiny. I can see what will become of them, and what they are. however, it all depends on my strength alone. And as you can see, I am old. I can only tell you as much as I can see. But how it works I cannot explain. Instead, I will show you, free of charge. I am a bit curious about you. I sense the fates swirling around you like a torrent. Now, bring your palm closer to me so that I may read it," she explained slowly with a weary voice, reaching out to my right hand with her trembling finger. I looked at everything happening in anticipation. Maybe she will be the one who can tell me what I should do.

She breathed slowly as she held my right hand with two of hers, concentrating as she made no sound despite the immense crowd around us. Their sounds seemed to be separated once she made contact with me, as if there were a barrier blocking us from the rest of the world.

As moments passed, the ball that reflected the light began emitting an even brighter light, not reflecting, but creating. The old woman then started trembling even more, but I could not tell why. Looking at her wouldn't tell me anything, but my body itself was petrified, and I was unable to move.

Her eyes abruptly opened, revealing a shocked face which was originally a soft spoke, mysterious old woman. Beads of sweat formed in her forehead, and her breathing was hoarse, as if she had a terrible fever.

She looked at me for a long time, not saying anything, trying to regain her composure.

"What did you see?" I asked her, concerned, but anxious to find out.

"You... What are you? I can't believe what I've just seen. Your future... Just who are you, child?" she said, shuddering in fear, but maintaining her silence as she took her time breathing and regaining her composure. Her eyes were focused solely on me.

"Me? What do you mean by that? What did you see?"

"I saw you surrounded by demons as far as the eye can see, wounded and hanging on death's door. The land was barren, and the skies were painted dark red. It was dreadful and terrifying. It felt like I was there myself, feeling the intense bloodlust of the demons, and the cold gazes that their stares made. This is unlike anything I've ever felt before. Child, what are you? It seems that your destiny is grim and dark. But there must be a reason for that. Tell me, what are you?" she came close, pulling my hand as to draw me closer to her.

"Ah, let go of me! What's gotten into you?!" I felt my heart pump intensely, and I pulled back, taking my hand away from her, then retreating further into the crowded district, leaving her as I never bothered glancing back.

I heaved a sigh of relief after having distanced myself from the district. It gave me time to think about what she told me about my fortune. I didn't understand it at all, but she said that she read my future. Does that mean it'll really happen?

I continued wondering, then dismissed it for a while, remembering my important mission. Finding the man named Theodore Hark. But that said, I wandered aimlessly through the town, seeing various buildings that made no sense. I entered each one of them, expecting to find someone named Theodore, but no luck.

Finally, my search brought me to a large two-story mansion made of wood. It looked just like every other building close to it, but it carried a distinct look. Banners hung from its beams, and soldiers patrolled its perimeter. It gave off an authoritative feel.

It was then that I was noticed by one of the guard making his rounds. He approached me, making sure to stay on guard as he kept his spear close by, walking distinguishably with an intimidating face.

"You there! What is your business around here? These grounds have been declared off limits to those without a writ of passage, or a reason. Do you not know that?"

"Is that so? Sorry, I didn't know. I just got here yesterday. But, I'm searching for someone named Theodore Hark, maybe you've heard of him," I sensed a clear hostility, but I chose to respond with less aggressiveness to it. There must be a reason as to why they're acting like this. I can only link it to what I've heard so far, that being the attacks by the demons on the town.

"What do you need from the lord of the town?" he asked, narrowing his eyes further.

"I was asked to find him by someone named Frederick Erinn. It's important."

"What in the world are you talking about? Frederick Erinn? That respectable man has been long retired. If you're using his name for something suspicious, then you'll be in a lot of trouble. And no matter how important it is, I can't tell you without proof. What do you have to show for?" he asked.

I stood silent, thinking hard about something that I can show for. Then I remembered the necklace that my father gave me. Maybe it's something of significance to them.

"Here, I have this," I took the necklace and showed it to the man.

"Eh? What's this now? What's a necklace to do with meeting Sir Hark? I'l give you this chance, kid. Everyone here's tense and on edge, so we've got little time to be worrying about mischief makers like you. So, run along before I sent you behind bars," he stood unimpressed, calling for a few of his fellow soldiers to come to him.

"Fine, I'll go," I said, giving up after sensing the atmosphere. If I don't back away from this one, it'll only turn out badly. Might as well just find another way.

I turned to leave, dejected, but still resilient in finding this man before anything else. If father says that he's someone that I can trust, then he'll know how to help me make sense of all this.

"Can I help you with something?" a mature looking woman with mature and well-endowed proportions, possessing long, curly, brown hair all the way to her shoulders, wearing reading glasses and a clean, white, button up uniform and a long brown skirt came into view. She carried books and a bag containing something.

"I was searching for someone named Theodore Hark. My father told me I'd find him here in this town, but no luck."

"Hmm... What's that in your hand?" she asked, pointing at the necklace I was holding on to.

"This? It was given to me by my father. He told me to show it to him and he'll know what to do."

"Very well. Follow me. Sir Hark of Lavis still isn't here since he's been requested by the king to join the defense somewhere up north, so you will need to wait for him," she passed me, walking briskly but orderly into the mansion, gesturing for me to follow, which I did, running up, ignoring the guard who prevented me from passing earlier.

She gave off a strict nature, but one that was refined and elegant in her own way. Her charm truly captivated me what I first saw her, and it made it hard for me to respond back then.

Following her in, she led me to a room where a bed with other furnishings were present. "Here is where you can wait for him if you'd like. I may arrive by tomorrow or two days from now. My name is Louise, Sir Hark's aide and secretary of for Lavis's affairs. Who might you be and where do you come from?" she asked, standing in front of me as I sat on the corner of the bed.

"Zachary, Zachary Erinn. I lived out somewhere in the forests with my parents."

"There's something bothering you from the looks of it, so I won't probe and leave it to Sir Hark when he arrives. I will be here handling the workload. Please make yourself at home, but only to a certain extent. Call for me when you need something," she left the room, but not before giving a curt bow. Her face truly was charming as I felt something inside me fluttering. Though she seemed strict, she carried a hidden kindness from within her.

I laid down and closed my eyes, choosing to think about everything that happened today so far. The most important thing being that I'm a Thalisean, a being from a chosen-born race that is supposed to defeat the demons. How do i prove that anyway?

It was then that I realized something now that I'm thinking about it. That time when I fought the revenant that... killed mom and dad, I was able to kill it with ease. I also remember a strange sensation that wrapped itself around me, making every movement I made almost as light as a feather, and swinging my sword near effortlessly. It was as if my soul was being cleansed in a way. And that mark, that strange mark that appeared on the back of my right hand... just what was that exactly?

I looked at it, but just as I expected, it's blank, nothing at all, no trace of anything. Was it just my imagination? No, what I did back there, I'm sure I felt something overcome me.

*sigh* "No use overthinking it right now. I just hope he'll be able to help me," I said to myself, relaxing my tense body, drifting into a comfortable slumber as my eyes closed, and the darkness became apparent.