A clear blue, with large, fluffy white clouds filling the afternoon sky. Scattered amongst the clouds can be found birds of various colors, dancing under two suns. The seemingly never-ending deep blue water below captures the eyes of its viewers with its beauty.

"This is called the ocean, son. Among the 9 great bodies of water, this one is called the Pure Ocean. It's the most peaceful ocean and is our most helpful benefactor."

On a beach shore nearby, sits a father and his child. The man being of a large stature, both broad and tall, is glistening under the sun from the beads of water that splashed onto his golden tanned skin. In his messy dark blue hair and goatee, small speckles of salt can be found, attributing to how long he has been enjoying the view with his child. It's clear to anyone seeing this man, that he has lived by ocean for most of his life.

The man's son, a young boy, sits in his father's lap. Though not as pronounced as his father, the boy's skin is lightly browned with no noticeable tan line on him. His hair, similar to his father's, a light blue hair dampened by stray waves from the ocean. A small pool of water built up between his sand-covered, criss-crossed legs. The little pool kept the boy cool and immersed as his father continued to talk to him about the ocean.

"I took your elder brothers here to talk when they were your age. Now that you're 5 as well, it's time I tell you the same."

As his father's tone become quieter and slower, the boy became more curious. He took his eyes off of the deep blue view before him, and turned to meet his father's gaze.

"Your mother and I named you Godfrey to bless you with a peaceful life. Your brothers, Frederick and Humphrey were named similarly, hoping that by putting peace in your names, life would be good to you. You may forget what I tell you today, so I'll repeat this to you as much as I can in the future."

As Godfrey stared into his father's eyes, he could see a slight glisten in those eyes. And as his father spoke, a single tear shed from each of his father's eyes. Godfrey couldn't hear what his father said at that moment, as the shock of seeing his father cry for the first time took all of his attention.

---

*8 years later*

Through the gaps of a sea of trees, rays of light sprinkled onto a log cabin. On the roof of the cabin rests a gold-yellow rooster, large and majestic as if posing sage-like phoenix. As this sage chicken felt the rays of the sun fill his feathers with warmth, he began to stand up. Upright and graceful is this rooster, as he walked to the front ridge of the rooftop. Behind him, the backdrop of the sun magnified his glory as he raised his wings to pronounce his message to the world!

"Bakaaaaaaawwwwwkk!"

"AHHH!"

*Thud*

Just beneath the glorious rooster was the room where this ungraceful cur was making a ruckus. This was Godfrey, now a young man, lay half on the floor due to his inability to respond to the majestic call of the morning.

"Gosh dangit! I should have named you Alarm instead of Phoenix, if I knew you were gonna wake me up like this every year!"

Hearing the sounds of confirmation from his most loyal subject beneath his feet, Phoenix gracefully walked back to his perch to rest. With a successful first happy birthday to the one he trusts the most, Phoenix slept deeply.

As Godfrey got dressed, since Phoenix had already made it clear to the household what day it was (and Godfrey would surely be dragged out of bed anyways if he remained in bed). Once he was all set, Godfrey walked downstairs to get started on breakfast. As he came down the stairs, so too did the forest newts, along the railing of the stairs.

Six little forest newts, single-file on the railings alongside Godfrey. This was the routine in the Pax household, as these newts have generationally helped around the house. The forest newts split at the bottom of the stairs to set up the kitchen for their young master Godfrey. Three forest newts carried the pan to the wood stove, one forest newt sparked the fire for the stove with its breath, and the other two forest newts began setting the table for the Pax family.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

As Godfrey got to the stove, four more forest newts came along with ingredients. Ranging from fruits and vegetables in bags, and two forest newts carefully carrying the precious eggs gifted from lord Phoenix's wives.

"Thanks guys, I'll make some extra for you today!"

Godfrey got to work, his expert culinary skills as the youngest child cooking for his two older brothers and one younger sister everyday. Having a near endless supply from his partner in crime, Phoenix, that he raised from an egg as a kid. He never could understand how that bundle of feathers got so many hens to fall for him, but it meant Godfrey could cook eggs as much as he wanted.

As the eggs started cooking and the scent mixed with a light hint of herbs, the smell wandered to the sleeping lion of the Pax family. In the room to the right of Godfrey's, the warrior Humphrey began to arise.

*Sniff* *Sniff*

"Ooooh, it's a special day!"

With a huge inhale, the air in the cabin began to shake. Trees started to rumble, wildlife began to stir, and a brow began to frown. As Humphrey stood up from his barely large enough bed, the door across from his room bolted open. Before the door could open fully, a shadow bolted through the opening. The blurry figure opened Humphrey's door as fast as it entered the room, and a golden fist slammed down on the rising warrior's head.

*Bang*

Down went Humphrey, in an almost comedic fashion, laying out on the floor in the shape of a star.

"Owww..."

"Quit it with the racket Humphrey. What if lil Arcadia woke up because of you?"

"But Frederick, there's no way -"

"Actually...I was already up brothers..."

""Huh?""

Leaning into the doorway was a little girl, with navy blue hair and light green eyes, shining like emeralds held up to the afternoon sky. The youngest Pax, Arcadia, gazed inquisitively on the scene before her, as it was always fascinating how energetic her blue-haired brothers were, so early in the morning.

On the sleek wood floor, atop a now wrinkling rug, lay the second eldest, Humphrey. His appearance seemingly heavily influenced by his father, Humphrey. Aside from his dark blue hair, his body was large and muscular, like a bear. In fact, he would often fight with the bears of the forest, enough so that he earned the mark of a warrior. Although currently covered by his elder brother sitting atop him, Humphrey's 3-streak claw scar could be seen faintly.

Frederick, unlike his brother Humphrey, was much thinner, with smooth skin like that of a beautiful maiden's stature. Flowing down to his shoulders was the lightest, sky blue hair of the family. Yet, despite his delicate physique, the pressure exerted by Frederick was great enough, that his younger brother was unable to get up.

"I told you I'd teach you a lesson if you woke up Arcadia again."

"But bro, she said it wasn't me!"

"She's just covering for you!"

*Bonk*

"Ow! Ow! Wait not the face!"

As Frederick was about to hit Humphrey once more, Godfrey's voice rang from downstairs.

"If you're awake, come get breakfast, or Phoenix is getting your portion!"

"""!!!"""

"Arcadia, be a dear and get started on breakfast before us. We'll meet you down there."

"Okay!"

As Frederick sent his only sister downstairs, he slowly turned to Humphrey with a wide smile.

"Wawawait, we can talk about this Frederick! You know I can't help but get excited when Godfrey cooks! Especially on his birthday!"

"You know, you're right. Hmmm...I'll be sure to save some food for you afterwards!"

With an open palm, Frederick slapped Humphrey's back. As his hand made contact, faint blue light spread out and covered Humphrey, locking his body in place on the floor.

"Hey, I thought techniques were banned in the house?! If I use Aura, Godfrey's gonna get mad at me again!"

"Guess you better be smart about it. I'll save you an apple!"

"Hey! Wait!"

As the commotion was wrapping up upstairs, and Humphrey's yells shook the house, Godfrey and Arcadia finished a quiet prayer and began to eat. The table was littered with chopped fruit and egg dishes that, if one looked closely enough, emitted a faint green haze. Unbothered by the green, as they knew it wasn't harmful, the two siblings, and now Frederick as well, began to eat. Noises upstairs continued as Humphrey was struggling to get out of his room without breaking anything.

Nearby the dining table, further into the living room, was a small table with a portrait. There was painted the Pax family, with the two younger siblings seated on their parents laps and Frederick and Humphrey standing. As if to keep likeness, Humphrey stood next to his father holding Godfrey, and Frederick stood next to his mother holding Arcadia. Their mother's long light blue hair flowed down to her waist. Her face was rosy and full of vitality as her lovely family gathered with her. Beneath the smiles of the Pax family, was a phrase written on the portrait.

[The world is vast, and we are small. We can't always be there for you, so keep these words with you. "We love you"] - Ves and Cae