I stood before hundreds of ferocious Aaps, unsure if I would live another second. Their sharp weapons made every muscle in my body tense, and just the sight of them made my heart pound so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest. There was no way out now. I had to fight them for my mother, who was watching me with tears in her eyes. Don’t worry, Mom. Your son will protect you.

A spear flew dangerously close to my face. One second felt like a thousand years as countless memories flashed through my mind. The jaws of death gaped wide, ready to swallow me whole, but my hands forced those jaws shut. I saw my mother’s face drenched in tears. She tried so hard to reach me, hoping she could shield me once again from the pain and suffering I endured, but her hands seemed so far away—like there was an impassable ocean between us.

“SEBASTIAN!!!!”

Spears, swords, knives, and all kinds of weapons came flying at me. My hands could only block a few before they cut into my skin. Pain exploded in my head, and I clenched my teeth, enduring the agony that spread through every inch of my small body. But I couldn’t give up or cry to my mother, hoping her soothing words would ease the pain. I endured and endured the pain that came like roaring tides upon my body. My hands kept swinging my hammer and shield relentlessly, trying to protect my mother, whom I loved with all my heart.

Slowly, my body began to weaken. Blood poured out like sweat, and I no longer felt pain—just a piercing cold, as if I were standing naked in the middle of winter. Steam rose from my mouth as I desperately sought warmth in this storm. Even though the sunlight touched my skin, I couldn’t feel its embrace. This is it. This is the day I die again. But strangely, I felt no remorse or regret.

An Aap emerged from the crowd, holding a rusty, bloodstained sword. It seemed to know how weak and pitiful I had become and was determined to finish me off. I glanced at my mother, lying helpless behind me. She looked at me with horror and sadness, trying to get up but unable to, no matter how hard she tried.

I charged at the Aap with the last of my strength. It tried to stab me, but I dodged and smashed its head with such force that it shattered into pieces. The Aaps’ screams grew louder, but suddenly, I heard an even louder roar from somewhere, silencing them. I could feel their murderous gazes fixed on me. It seemed they were done playing and were now closing in from all sides.

I tilted my head back and looked up at the sky, where fragments of sunlight pierced through the leaves. I raised my hands high, trying to reach the heavens, hoping I could fly away from this place with my mother, safe and sound.

“Oh merciful and compassionate God, your humble and sinful servant stands before you, begging for your blessing and aid. Guide my weapon and grant me the strength to fight again, for I can no longer stand on my own.”

I collapsed to the ground, unable to stand any longer. White noise filled my ears, drowning out my mother’s voice, which was so close. Slowly, my eyes began to close, and the world spun like a whirlpool, dragging me into its depths. Darkness took hold; I couldn’t see anything anymore. Everything felt cold, like I was floating in the middle of a lake during spring.

In the darkness of my mind, I saw a tiny light. I ran and ran toward it, but it felt like I was trying to reach a star in the distant sky. The small light pulsed, and I felt its warmth healing me.

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“Rise, my Saint. Show them the wrath of God.”

I felt rejuvenated. Slowly, a holy energy rushed through every inch of my veins. Suddenly, I could open my eyes once more, staring at those Aaps who dared to treat me and my mom like this. I stood up, facing the confused Aaps. All my wounds were gone. The cold I had felt was replaced by heat, and the energy swirling inside me turned into deep, burning anger. I looked at all the Aaps surrounding me. I could feel them backing away, inching further from me.

I’ll show them now. I’ll show them fear and pain.

“FEEL MY WRATH!”

I swung my hammer, sending an Aap flying into the trees. The others attacked from all sides, but my eyes were sharper, my ears keener, and my body more flexible and full of energy than ever before. I swung my hammer relentlessly. Rivers of blood flowed, soaking my feet, and chunks of flesh and entrails scattered across the forest. Martial arts techniques I hadn’t yet mastered flowed naturally from my mind. Before I knew it, I was chasing the fleeing Aaps, their faces filled with terror. But I wasn’t done—not even close.

I ventured deeper into the forest, slaughtering every Aap I encountered. Some were shocked, some unaware of their impending doom, and some tried to resist in vain. I would kill every Aap today. None would survive. They would all feel the fury burning in my heart.

Amid the carnage, I suddenly remembered something—something so important that I was willing to sacrifice my life for it. I stopped and watched the Aaps scattering in all directions. My anger still raged, and I wanted to chase them, but I knew there was something more important to do.

I returned to where my mother lay unconscious. I checked her body and touched her injured leg. A small light emanated from my arm, and her swollen leg slowly healed. I stood up, vigilant, scanning the forest. A loud roar echoed through the forest again, but this time it sounded different, as if the monster was in a rage. I wanted to investigate, but I had to get my mother out of here as quickly as possible.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder from behind. I immediately struck it and turned to attack whoever was there.

“SEBASTIAN! LOOK AT ME!”

It was Father Daniel, staring at me with confusion. He glanced around and quickly ran to my mother. I was puzzled. Why was Father Daniel here? What was really happening in this forest? I looked at my arms and checked my body, but there wasn’t a single wound. Had the small light in the darkness healed me? And that strange voice I heard earlier... was it God? That can’t be. That’s too good to be true. But maybe it’s true? I didn’t even know anymore. I was just glad that my mother and I were now safe from those disgusting Aaps.

“Thank God, she’s just unconscious. But Sebastian...”

“Yes?”

“What happened here? It’s like a magical explosion went off...”

I didn’t know how to answer. Should I say I killed all these Aaps with God’s blessing, which also healed my wounds? It sounded absurd, like the ramblings of a madman, but that was what had happened. I looked at my blood-stained arms and tried to wipe them clean with my shirt. Father Daniel quickly approached and grabbed my left hand. There, on the back of my hand, was a church symbol, as if it had been tattooed.

Father Daniel looked at me with a serious face I had never seen before. He glanced around the forest, lost in thought, then exhaled deeply and knelt in front of me.

“Don’t show this symbol to anyone until you’re twelve. I’ll talk to Apollonia and Edward after this is over.”

“O-okay?”

“And don’t let the church officials in the city find out! Remember, this is a secret between your family and me!”

Father Daniel’s expression was grave. It was the first time I had seen him look so terrifying. I nodded in agreement, and he seemed to calm down, gripping my shoulder.

“Your father is injured but alive. Marshal Ipsilas is clearing out the monsters in the forest. Let’s get out of here. There are still Aaps roaming around.”

I nodded again and looked around the forest. The roar of the mysterious monster still echoed, but now I also felt something strange. There’s something terrifying there. My gut told me I needed to reach that source, but I had to ensure my mother’s safety first. There were people fighting the monster there.

“Come on, Sebastian! Don’t fall behind!”

I ran after Father Daniel, leaving the cursed forest behind, hoping whoever was fighting that monster would also take care of that strange thing.