The scorching sun hung high in the sky, and the air was filled with the fragrance of ripened wheat fields. A gentle breeze swept through, causing the endless farmland to ripple like golden waves under the sunlight.


    Ryder stood at the entrance of the farm, gazing at the old mailbox with the name "Blaze" on it. A complex wave of emotions welled up in his heart. He reached up to tidy his slightly disheveled hair and clothing, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.


    The farm remained just as he remembered—vast fields, a red barn, and cattle scattered near the fences alongside the stables. The familiar sights brought a slight smile to Ryder’s lips. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on the white wooden house. In front of the house, a man in worker’s overalls and a straw hat was chopping wood, his axe splitting thick logs with rhythmic precision.


    The sharp sound of the axe echoed across the farm. The man seemed to sense something, pausing his movements before lifting his head to see the approaching figure.


    He squinted slightly, as if unable to believe his own eyes. Almost instinctively, he wiped the sweat off his face and muttered under his breath, “...Ryder?”


    Hearing his father’s voice, Ryder’s steps faltered momentarily before he broke into a familiar smile. “Dad, I’m home.”


    Before the words had fully left his mouth, Kent Blaze dropped his axe and strode forward. His rough, calloused hands pulled Ryder into a tight embrace, as if trying to fuse this long-lost son back into his very bones.


    “You little brat, where the hell have you been?! Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been these past months?!” Kent’s deep voice trembled slightly, his broad shoulders shaking.


    Ryder gave a guilty smile and wrapped his arms tightly around his father. “I’m sorry, Dad.”


    From inside the house came hurried footsteps, followed by a voice trembling with disbelief. “Ryder...?”


    Turning his head, Ryder saw his sister, Elaine, standing on the porch with her hands covering her mouth. Her eyes were wide with shock, tears already welling up. Next to her, his younger brother, Roy, froze for a moment before suddenly dashing forward.


    “Big bro is back!!” Roy shouted as he ran straight into Ryder, hugging his waist with such force that Ryder nearly stumbled backward.


    “Haha, calm down, kid, don’t knock me over.” Ryder laughed, patting Roy’s back, then looked up at his teary-eyed sister. “Sis, I’m home.”


    Tears finally spilled down Elaine’s cheeks. She rushed forward, reaching out to touch Ryder’s face, as if to confirm that he was truly there.


    “Where... where have you been? How did you just disappear like that...” Her voice choked with emotion, heavy with all the worry she had been holding back.


    Ryder took her hands in his, giving her a reassuring look. “I’m sorry for making you all worry.”


    At that moment, the Blaze family was finally reunited. The warm Texas breeze blew past them, and as the sun set, the farm was filled with laughter and embraces.


    The evening sunlight filtered through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on the wooden dining table. The air was rich with the aroma of dinner being prepared. On the stove, a pot of stew simmered, filling the room with its mouth watering scent. Elaine skillfully stirred potatoes and bacon in a pan, occasionally wiping the sweat from her brow. Ryder stood beside her, helping with the chopping, though he also snuck a few slices of ham into his mouth—only to get his hand slapped by Elaine.


    “You little rascal, stop sneaking bites! That’s for dinner!” She shot him a glare, but the smile in her eyes was unmistakable.


    Ryder shrugged, biting into the piece he had already swiped. “Well, what can I say? You’re too good at cooking, Sis.”


    Elaine sighed in mock exasperation, though her lips twitched in amusement. The gentle bubbling of the stew and the quiet clinking of the wooden spoon against the pot made the atmosphere feel even cozier.


    The two of them worked in sync, effortlessly falling into the rhythm of preparing the meal together. As Ryder stirred the sauce, he spoke softly. “Elaine, these past years must have been really hard on you.”


    Elaine’s hands stilled for a moment. She looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.


    “After Mom passed, everything fell on your shoulders.” Ryder’s voice carried a hint of guilt. “You gave up your studies to stay on the farm, managing the business with Dad while taking care of Roy and me. I always knew... Thank you, Sis. Truly.”


    Elaine set the spatula down gently and turned to him. She reached out, ruffling his blonde hair the same way she did when they were kids.


    “Ryder, do you know something?” Her voice was soft yet firm. “I never once regretted my choice. I did what any sister would do.”


    She looked at him with warmth in her gaze. “I always knew you and Roy had bright futures ahead of you. I was willing to give everything to see you both grow. It was never a sacrifice. It was simply what I wanted to do.”


    Ryder looked up, his nose stinging slightly. He wanted to crack a joke to lighten the mood, but seeing the sincerity in his sister’s eyes, the words died on his tongue. Instead, he took a deep breath and smiled. “Sis, you’re incredible. If you ever get married, your husband’s one lucky guy.”


    Elaine laughed, playfully smacking his arm. “Stop talking nonsense, you brat.”


    Their laughter filled the kitchen, blending with the soft hues of the sunset outside.


    As the night deepened, only the occasional clinking of utensils filled the dining room. The family sat around the wooden table, savoring the hearty meal. The rich aroma of stewed beef, roasted potatoes, and grilled corn made it impossible not to dig in.


    Between bites, Ryder recounted his story—where he had been, what he had experienced.


    “So you’re telling me... you got transported to some mysterious, isolated continent?” Elaine set her fork down, eyes wide with disbelief. “And not only were there humans, but also other intelligent races?”


    “That’s right.” Ryder nodded, cutting into his steak, trying to sound casual. “Elves, dwarves, beastfolk... and a whole bunch of monsters. Just like something out of a fantasy movie.”


    “Oh my god, that sounds like a novel.” Elaine shook her head in amazement.


    “Bro, that’s so cool!” Roy’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Did you fight any battles? Ride a dragon? Wield a massive sword against monsters?”


    “Well... no dragons, but I did fight monsters.” Ryder chuckled, lifting his glass to take a sip of water, hiding the hesitation in his eyes.


    He didn’t tell them everything. Not about his mission, not about the power he had been granted, and certainly not about the looming threat of the Abyss. He knew that if he did, his family’s peaceful lives would never be the same. He couldn’t bear to worry them.


    At the other end of the table, Kent Blaze remained silent, slowly cutting his steak. His brows were slightly furrowed as he listened.


    “So... what are you planning to do now?” Kent finally asked, his voice calm but piercing.


    Ryder paused, then smiled. “For now? I just want to stay home for a while, enjoy farm life, and get some rest.”


    Kent didn’t reply immediately. He simply studied his son’s expression, as if trying to uncover the truth behind his words. But in the end, he only nodded and continued eating.


    After dinner, the family moved to the living room.


    Roy was still excitedly bombarding Ryder with questions, while Elaine reflected on how much had changed over the years, reminding Ryder not to make the family worry again. Kent sat quietly to the side, occasionally casting sharp, knowing glances at his son, as if he had already sensed the hidden truths and uncertainties in Ryder’s words. Yet, he didn’t ask any questions.


    For the next two days, Ryder settled back into the familiar rhythm of farm life. He helped clean the barn, fed the livestock, repaired fences, and even drove the tractor across the fields. The golden wheat shimmered under the sun, and Ryder found himself cherishing every drop of sweat, every moment spent with his family. He knew that, in the end, he would have to leave again. But for now, he could embrace this fleeting peace and savor the warmth of home.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    The night was deep, the stars scattered sparsely across the sky, and the farm lay in tranquil silence.


    The only sound was the rustling of the wheat fields in the breeze.


    Ryder stood in the living room, staring at the letter he had left on the dining table, his heart heavy with emotion. He didn’t want to leave like this, but he also didn’t know how to face the inevitable farewell.


    Taking a deep breath, he stepped toward the door.


    But just as he reached for the handle, a familiar deep voice rang out behind him—


    “Are you planning to leave without saying goodbye?”


    Ryder’s heart jolted. He turned around to see his father, Kent, standing in the shadowy hallway, arms crossed as he gazed at him. The soft glow of the night cast gentle yet profound shadows on his father’s face, his eyes as deep as the starry sky.


    Ryder scratched his head awkwardly and chuckled. “Dad, you’re still up this late?”


    Kent didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and started walking toward the fields, his steady steps leaving no room for argument. “Come with me.”


    Ryder hesitated for a moment but followed.


    They walked in silence through the fields until they reached a small cemetery. Moonlight bathed the white gravestone before them, and a familiar name was engraved upon it—Elisa.


    Ryder’s chest tightened. He slowly lifted his gaze, watching as his father stood before his mother’s grave, eyes fixed on the carved letters. In those eyes was a softness that spoke of deep longing and tenderness.


    For a long time, Kent remained silent. Then, he finally spoke, his voice steady and deep:


    “Ryder, my son… I was once lost too.”


    Ryder froze, listening intently as his father continued.


    Many years ago, Kent had been a young and ambitious farmer. He had just inherited this land, filled with grand aspirations, yet crushed by harsh realities. The farm was struggling, debt loomed over him, and from dawn until midnight, he toiled in the fields, yet the future remained uncertain.


    Sometimes, he would stand amidst the vast fields, watching the sunset cast golden hues over the ripening crops. And in those moments, a wave of exhaustion and helplessness would wash over him. He had thought about giving up, had even questioned whether he had made the right choice.


    Then, he met Elisa.


    It was in a dimly lit bar in town, where the air carried a faint scent of tobacco. Kent sat at the counter, nursing a cheap glass of whiskey, trying to drown his relentless anxiety.


    “What’s with that long face?” a clear voice suddenly asked.


    He looked up to see a young waitress standing before him, arms crossed, tilting her head slightly with a mischievous smile.


    She had golden hair that fell smoothly over her shoulders, and when she smiled, her blue eyes sparkled like a sky full of stars.


    Elisa.


    That night, they talked for hours—about the weather, the struggles of running a farm, their dreams for the future. She was an understanding and warmhearted woman, and somehow, her words made all his burdens feel a little lighter. Kent never thought he would open up to a stranger like that.


    Days turned into weeks, and their bond deepened. They took evening strolls in town, watched the sunset over the wheat fields, and envisioned a future together.


    Yet, the deeper he loved her, the more afraid he became.


    He had nothing. Debts weighed on his shoulders, and uncertainty clouded his future. He wasn’t sure if he could give Elisa a good life—he could barely afford his next meal. How could he even dream of love?


    He fell into deep self-doubt.


    Finally, one night, he made a decision. He would end things with Elisa. He refused to drag her into his hardship.


    That night, under the hazy glow of the moon, the town streets were eerily quiet.


    When he stepped into the bar and saw Elisa busily working, a storm of emotions raged inside him. He took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and called out to her, preparing to speak—


    SLAP!


    The crisp sound echoed through the bar.


    Elisa’s hand was still suspended in the air, her face filled with fury, her blue eyes burning with a fierce determination Kent had never seen before.


    Kent clutched his face in shock, staring at her in disbelief.


    “The man I love isn’t the one standing before me right now.” Her voice was cold, unwavering.


    Kent opened his mouth but found himself unable to argue.


    Elisa took a deep breath, her emotions calming slightly. Her gaze softened, but her tone remained firm. “If you really love me, and you think you’re not good enough—then do something about it.”


    Kent stood frozen, his heart pounding. The problem that had tormented him for so long, the question he had agonized over—wasn’t even a question to her.


    After a long silence, Elisa lowered her head slightly, her cheeks tinged with pink. In a voice barely above a whisper, she added—


    “Or… we could face it together.”


    Kent’s eyes widened. In that moment, all his confusion vanished.


    Slowly, he knelt before her, took her hands in his, and gazed deeply into her eyes. Then, with utmost sincerity, he asked—


    “Elisa, will you marry me?”


    Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her lips curled into a warm smile. She nodded gently, tightening her grip on his hands.


    “Of course, my dear Kent.”


    The night breeze whispered through the wheat fields, carrying the familiar scent of earth and grass—the comforting embrace of home.


    Kent’s voice remained steady as it resonated through the quiet night.


    “After that, through hard work, the farm slowly got back on its feet.” He gazed past the gravestone, as if looking into the past. “Life was still tough, but at least we saw hope… until the day Roy was born.”


    He paused, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes.


    “Elisa was overjoyed. She had always wanted a baby boy. But her health was weak, even before the pregnancy.” He let out a slow breath, his gaze dimming. “She gave everything to bring Roy into this world… but in the end, she couldn’t hold on.”


    “Her last words to me were to take care of you all.” Kent’s voice cracked for a moment before he steadied himself. “She told me—‘The harder life tries to knock you down, the more you must stand up.’”


    Ryder remained silent. He remembered his mother. He remembered that distant night. As a child, he hadn’t fully understood what her passing meant. He only remembered his father withdrawing into silence, working himself to the bone, as if merely surviving.


    Yet, despite everything, he had carried their family through.


    “I was lost too,” Kent continued. “There was a moment when I thought nothing mattered anymore.”


    Then, his expression softened, pride gleaming in his eyes. “But I stood up. I raised you three on my own. I watched you grow into strong, capable adults… and that is the greatest achievement of my life.”


    He placed a firm, reassuring hand on Ryder’s shoulder.


    “Ryder, walk forward with your beliefs. Never falter.”


    Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an old pocket watch. Time had worn its surface, but its craftsmanship was still evident.


    He placed it in Ryder’s hand, his voice warm yet resolute.


    “This belongs to you now.”


    Ryder opened it. Inside, a faded family photo was carefully tucked away.


    His mother’s gentle smile. His father was standing beside her. Elaine and himself, their father’s hands on their shoulders. And little Roy, nestled in their mother’s embrace, grinning innocently.


    Memories flooded him.


    Tears blurred his vision.


    And this time, he didn’t hold them back.


    Ryder took a step forward, the soil beneath his feet carrying the familiar warmth of the farm. His shadow stretched long under the moonlight. He did not turn back, but he knew—his father was still standing there, watching him leave.


    As he reached the edge of the farm’s fence, a familiar voice called out from his side.


    "Are you reluctant to leave?"


    Ryder paused slightly, turning his head. The girl, Divine Principle, stood quietly by the fence, her golden eyes reflecting the night, as if she could see straight into his heart.


    He chuckled softly, tilting his head up toward the moon. "Of course, I don’t want to leave. Who would willingly part from their home?"


    The Divine Principle tilted her head slightly. "Then why are you still going?"


    Ryder was silent for a moment, his gaze falling to the pocket watch in his hand. His fingers gently traced over the faded family photo tucked inside. When he spoke, his voice was low, yet resolute.


    "Because I must."


    "Must?" The Divine Principle’s curiosity deepened. "And why must you?"


    Ryder took a deep breath and looked toward the distant farm. The lights in the house still glowed warmly, and his father’s figure remained standing at the doorstep.


    "Because some things can only truly change if you take action yourself." His voice was calm but sharp as a blade. "If my father hadn’t had the courage back then, he would never have built this home. If he had fallen, my siblings and I would have long since been scattered and lost."


    His fingers curled into a fist—whether speaking to himself or answering the girl, it was unclear.


    "If I give up now, the future will crumble into nothing. I’m not just fighting for myself, but for my family, and for the future of this world."


    Divine Principle studied him, a hint of admiration flickering in her gaze.


    "Conviction…" she murmured. "Interesting. I never thought belief could grant ordinary people such strength."


    Ryder scoffed lightly. "Without conviction, how could ordinary people survive?"


    He paused, then turned to face her fully, a familiar, confident smile playing on his lips. "I have inherited the divine power of fire—but my flames will not bring destruction. They will illuminate the future."


    A glimmer flashed through Divine Principal''s golden eyes.


    "Illuminate the future…" She chuckled softly, her voice carrying a subtle complexity. "You humans and your unyielding will… Sometimes, it truly surprises me."


    "Then keep watching," Ryder said, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for battle. He stepped forward, determination burning in his eyes. "Before dawn arrives, someone must first light the darkness. And I will be one of them."


    Then, he leapt into the sky. Flames ignited beneath his feet, propelling him upward, cutting across the night like a shooting star.


    Divine Principle remained where she stood, watching as he ascended toward the heavens. Slowly, a faint smile formed at the corner of her lips.


    "Fire… it is always the one that shines the brightest."