Thud. Thud. Thud.
My fists slammed into the tree trunk, each punch sending small tremors up my arms.
The rough bark scraped against my knuckles, but I ignored it. Pain meant I was building strength. I had to push through it.
Jab. Cross. Hook.
I kept my stance tight, focusing on form over power. The last thing I needed was to throw wild punches and waste my energy.
Jab. Cross. Hook. Uppercut—
My movements faltered.
A chill ran down my spine, and I turned my head slightly.
There, from the second-story window of our home, Mom was watching me.
She didn''t say anything.
She didn''t move.
She just watched.
A strange unease settled in my chest.
I wasn''t doing anything wrong, but the way she looked at me… it felt like she didn''t like the fact that I was training.
I exhaled, shaking my head. Forget it.
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I decided to stop for now.
That''s when I saw it.
The wooden shed, partially hidden behind the trees.
I had never noticed it before.
Curious, I walked over and pushed the door open.
A musty scent filled the air, dust floating through the dim light as I stepped inside. It wasn''t a storage shed for tools or firewood—no, this was something else entirely.
Lining the walls were weapons.
Swords. Spears. Axes. Bows.
This was an armory.
My gaze swept over the racks of weapons, taking in their craftsmanship. Some were old and rusted, while others looked well-maintained.
Then, my eyes landed on it.
A long red sword, resting on a wooden stand.
The blade was covered in intricate rose ornaments, its hilt wrapped in dark leather.
Despite the dust in the shed, this weapon looked untouched—as if it had been waiting.
For what?
Or who?
I took a cautious step closer, reaching out—
The moment my fingers brushed the hilt, a sharp pulse shot through my palm.
I yanked my hand back.
The air around the sword felt different now.
Almost like it was watching me back.
---
"You shouldn''t be in here, Nero."
I jumped at the voice behind me.
Turning around, I found Mom standing at the entrance of the shed, her arms crossed, her expression beyond furious.
I glanced at the sword again before meeting her gaze, "This sword… it''s different from the others."
Mom exhaled through her nose, stepping inside, "That''s because it''s not just a weapon. It''s a curse sword."
"A cursed sword?" I frowned.
She nodded, "This is Eden, the Rosewick family''s treasure. A blade that should never be wielded."
I looked at the sword again, its crimson sheen almost pulsing under the dim light, "Why do we have something like this?"
Mom didn''t answer immediately. Instead, she walked past me, gently running her fingers along the weapon''s hilt.
"This island… It belongs to the Rosewick bloodline. Our family''s sanctuary," she finally said.
I blinked, "Wait...this is our island?"
Mom turned to face me, "Yes. And the reason we never lived here before is because a Rosewick must be present during their stay.."
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I frowned, "What happens if someone else steps foot here?"
Mom''s expression turned grim, "If there are no living Rosewick on the island. Non members become part of the island."
I stiffened, "What do you mean?"
She sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "Non-blooded visitors… turn into flowers."
A cold shiver crawled down my spine.
"So, you…?"
"I can be here because of two of you. The island views me as a guest but under heavily watch. The mere moment you two leave...I will die." Mom said with calm tone in her voice.
I glanced around the shed again, trying to process it all.
A cursed sword, a family island that turns outsiders into flowers… What else was I going to learn today?
Mom sighed, rubbing her temples, "Henry never wanted us to live in isolation, which is why we stayed in the village. Since he had to work all the time, he wouldn''t be able to stay with me on island. He wanted me to have people around to keep me company and also we wanted to start a family somewhere in the countryside...we couldn''t take away your childhood, so we did what''s best."
Wow...I have one hell of family to be honest. Is weird that part of me wants to stay with mom... given how they done for me already.
But I need to know one thing though, "Mom, are you certain this place can defend against the veils. Has dad ever seen that happened?"
Mom opened her mouth, then shut it.
She doesn''t know either.
As if reading my thoughts, Mom''s gaze hardened, "Stop whatever you''re thinking, Nero."
I tensed. "I—"
She grabbed my wrist, dragging me out of the shed, "I know that you want to leave help fight."
I dug my heels into the ground, trying to resist, "You know I can''t just sit here and do nothing. Besides I''m not talking about immediately, just after a few years-"
Mom''s grip tightened, "AS YOUR MOTHER, I HAVE DO WHAT''S BEST!" She tugged me out of the shed but soon realised that left a red mark on my wrist.
Her eyes widened completely staring at the red mark she left while her body was trembling slightly.
We both stood underneath the sunlight, the warmth doing little to ease the tension between us.
Mom turned to face me, her face turn completely sadden, "I know what you''re feeling, Nero. I know you want to help. But you''re still a child. And I will do everything in my power to make sure you stay here until this is over."
She sounded remorseful.
Now thinking about it, young me said that someone would have the method of defeating the veils.
Can I even trust myself honestly...I known for lying and hating the people around me. What if that person doesn''t exist and I put myself, mom and Jade in danger over an assumption that can''t be proven.
Dad and Ethan are the strongest, they most likely have ways of dealing with Dante.
If I''m an anomaly to this world, what good would it make if I were to go to Nevercity.
...
...
I need to think about this.