《I Met Your Mother In A Grimdark Fantasy》


 Chapter 1: Unstoppable

    The air was thick with the smell of gasoline and fried food from a nearby street vendor, blending into an oddly nostalgic scent that clung to the warm summer breeze. The city hummed with life¡ªcars honked impatiently at slow pedestrians, a dog barked somewhere in the distance, and the faint melody of a street musician¡¯s guitar drifted through the air. The sun hung high, casting long shadows that wavered with every step.


    Yuuta trudged along the cracked sidewalk, his heavy frame weighing down each step. His navy-blue t-shirt clung uncomfortably to his round stomach, sweat forming at the base of his neck. His messy brown hair, unkempt and too long, nearly covered his dark green eyes, forcing him to push it back every so often just to see where he was going. Freckles dusted his cheeks, barely visible under the sheen of sweat. He wasn¡¯t in a rush, but the oppressive heat made him wish he could just teleport to his destination instead of suffering through this walk.


    As he wiped his forehead with the back of his pudgy hand, a shrill scream cut through the noise of the city. His head snapped up in time to see a little girl, no older than five, sprinting across the street, her tiny arms flailing as she chased after a bright red ball that had rolled out of her grasp. A large white truck barreled toward her, its tires screeching against the asphalt as the driver slammed on the brakes. But it wasn¡¯t going to stop in time.


    Her mother¡¯s voice was raw with terror. "No! Get out of the street!"


    Yuuta didn¡¯t think. His legs moved before his mind caught up, and he dashed forward, his weight making his movements clumsy but determined. He reached the girl in time, shoving her forward onto the sidewalk just as the truck bore down on him. The sound of the horn rang in his ears, drowning out the world.


    At the last possible second, he twisted his body, barely dodging the massive vehicle as it sped past, the rush of wind nearly knocking him off balance. He stood there for a moment, panting, hands on his knees, feeling his heart hammering against his ribs. The mother rushed over, scooping the little girl into her arms, tears streaming down her face.


    "Thank you! Oh my god, thank you!" she said breathlessly, her voice shaking with relief. ¡°You saved her!¡±


    Yuuta just gave a small nod, still catching his breath, before turning away and continuing down the sidewalk like nothing had happened.


    ¡®Still nothing¡­¡¯


    But something gnawed at the back of his mind.


    As he reached another intersection, the sound of an engine revving up made his skin prickle. He glanced to the side.


    Another white truck.


    It was coming fast. Too fast.


    "Are you kidding me?!" he muttered, eyes widening. He barely managed to throw himself out of the way, stumbling onto the pavement as the truck roared past, missing him by mere inches. His pulse pounded in his ears.


    ¡°Tch! Asshole almost hit me!¡±


    ¡®Am I being targeted or something?¡¯


    Shaken, he picked himself up and started walking faster, his chubby legs struggling to keep up with the growing sense of unease curling in his stomach. The city was still bustling, people going about their day as if nothing insane had just happened.


    Then, as he reached another block, the sound of another engine roaring to life sent a chill down his spine.


    Another white truck.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    It came out of nowhere, speeding toward him at an unnatural angle. "What the hell?!" he yelped, diving to the side just in time. The truck missed him by a hair, its side mirror nearly clipping his shoulder.


    His breathing was ragged now. His legs burned.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t normal!¡¯


    He started running.


    His sneakers slapped against the pavement as he bolted down the street, weaving through pedestrians who gave him confused glances. His heart pounded, his breath came in short gasps, and sweat dripped down his forehead.


    ¡®This can¡¯t be happening¡­!¡¯


    Then¡ªanother truck.


    From a street that didn¡¯t even have an opening.


    It swerved toward him at an unnatural speed, its headlights glaring like the eyes of a predator locked onto its prey. Yuuta barely had time to react¡ªhe ducked low, the truck passing so close over him that he could feel the heat of the engine against his back.


    "What is happening?!" he shouted, his voice cracking with panic.


    Tears pricked at his eyes as he kept running. "I don¡¯t wanna die! I finally got a job today!" he cried, his breathing ragged.


    But the trucks weren¡¯t done.


    Another one came from a side alley that was way too narrow for a vehicle of that size. He twisted his body, barely avoiding it, but the side of the truck scraped against his arm, tearing through his sleeve and leaving a stinging gash in its wake. He hissed in pain but didn¡¯t stop.


    His lungs burned, his legs screamed at him to stop, but he couldn¡¯t.


    Finally, he reached an open plaza, a wide space free of vehicles. He gasped for air, bending over with his hands on his knees. Maybe¡ªmaybe he was safe now.


    ¡°Ha¡­ha¡­.is someone after me?¡±


    Then, with a deafening crash, a white truck fell from the sky.


    It plummeted from an office building, slamming into the pavement just inches from where he stood. The ground shook, debris flying in every direction.


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    Yuuta slowly stood up, his entire body trembling. Blood trickled down his arm. His breaths came in short, ragged gasps. His vision swam, his mind barely processing what had just happened.


    Then, he let out a weak, nervous laugh, his lips curling into an anxious, almost delirious smile.


    "I''m dead," he whispered, the words barely leaving his mouth.


    And then¡ª


    A final white truck appeared out of nowhere.


    Before he could even move, it hit him at full speed.


    Everything went black.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Darkness.


    Yuuta could feel himself still running... His legs burned, his lungs screamed for air, and the city around him blurred into streaks of neon and headlights. The trucks¡ªthey kept coming, their horns blaring, their monstrous white frames lunging at him from impossible angles. One from the sky, one from an alley too small for a vehicle, one from behind¡ªhis vision swam with light, screeching tires, and deafening impact.


    Then¡ªnothing.


    The world collapsed inward, folding in on itself like a crumpled piece of paper, and Yuuta felt himself falling.


    Falling¡­


    And more falling...


    His body was weightless, yet he could still feel the phantom ache in his legs, the scrape on his arm, the terror in his chest. The city lights melted into a swirl of color, streaks of white and red and gold spiraling around him like a fever dream. The honking of trucks distorted into something unrecognizable, fading into whispers, then silence.


    And then¡ªwarmth.


    A strange, encompassing warmth wrapped around him, pulling him into something softer, something safe. It was like floating in a calm sea, the waves lulling him into stillness, the terror ebbing away. His mind swam in a haze, no longer running, no longer falling, just¡­ existing.


    Slowly, blearily, he opened his eyes.


    The first thing he saw was a soft glow, firelight flickering against wooden walls. His vision was blurry, unfocused, and for a brief moment, he thought he was still dreaming¡ªuntil he saw them.


    A man and a woman.


    The woman, her face flushed and damp with sweat, had long, flowing peach-white hair that cascaded over her shoulders. Her light gray eyes shimmered, brimming with tears as she gazed down at him with pure, unfiltered joy. The man beside her, rugged and broad-shouldered, had dark red hair tied back in a loose small ponytail and a matching red beard. His eyes light brown, were warm, filled with emotion as he looked at her, then at Yuuta¡ªno, at him.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    They were¡­ holding him.


    And they were crying.


    "He¡¯s here," the woman whispered, her voice thick with emotion.


    "He¡¯s perfect," the man added, his deep voice trembling.


    Yuuta blinked. His mind, sluggish and foggy, tried desperately to catch up with what his eyes were seeing. The way they held him so gently, the sheer joy radiating from them, the way the woman clutched the man¡¯s hand as if grounding herself in this moment.


    ¡®¡­.Huh? A dream¡­? Did I even get the job¡­?¡¯


    Then the words hit him like a freight truck.


    "Kaelis," the man murmured, his voice filled with warmth. "Our son. Kaelis."


    Yuuta¡¯s breath hitched. ¡®Kaelis? Who are they calling Kaelis? That¡¯s definitely not my name¡ª.¡¯


    His name was¡ª


    ¡®Hold the hell up. Why are my hands so small?!¡¯¡¯


    His vision sluggishly turned downward, his tiny fingers barely responding to his commands. His hands¡ªif he could even call them that¡ªwere chubby, soft, and impossibly little. And there, on his left hand, was something strange.


    A dark gray birthmark.


    Yuuta¡ªor Kaelis¡ªstared at it in absolute bewilderment. Birthmarks weren¡¯t usually gray, right? His mind scrambled for logic, for a reason, but nothing made sense.


    This had to be a dream. A weird, vivid, post-truck-trauma dream or something.


    ¡®This feels too real.¡¯


    The warmth of the fire, the gentle weight of the blanket wrapped around him, the sheer immersion of it all¡ªit wasn¡¯t fading like a dream should.


    His tiny heart pounded.


    His breathing hitched.


    ¡®What. Is. Happening?!¡¯


    His parents¡ªno, these people¡ªcontinued to adore him, completely oblivious to his existential crisis. The woman, Zekka, cradled him close, pressing soft kisses to his forehead while murmuring sweet nothings. The man, Gunthr, chuckled deeply, his large hand gently rubbing his back.


    Yuuta sat there, frozen in their arms, his mind screaming while his body¡ªhis baby body¡ªrefused to do anything but be lovingly coddled.


    "This¡­ this isn¡¯t real," he tried to say.


    What came out was:


    "Gaaaahh! Baaaah!¡±


    ¡®I sound like a baby!¡¯


    Zekka gasped, her eyes shimmering. "Did you hear that, dear? He¡¯s already trying to talk!"


    Gunthr¡¯s chest rumbled with laughter. "A strong voice, just like his father."


    Yuuta¡¯s metaphorical soul left his body.


    ¡°No. No, you don¡¯t understand. I¡¯m not a baby. I¡¯m a seventeen-year-old who just got annihilated by an army of homicidal white trucks!¡± He tried to say.


    What really came out: "Guh! Mmmh! Agh!"


    "Oh, he¡¯s so expressive!" Zekka cooed, nuzzling his tiny nose.


    Gunthr nodded, his beard twitching as he grinned. "A passionate one, for sure!"


    ¡®I¡¯m gonna lose my damn mind!¡¯ Yuuta screamed in his head. ¡®Haha! I¡¯ll wake up any moment now! I¡¯m just going crazy!¡¯


    His tiny fingers clenched around the blanket as he tried to process everything. The medieval-looking wooden cabin, the flickering firelight, the unmistakable sense of something else in the air. There was a presence here, something lingering, something alive in a way he had never felt before.


    It was like the very air pulsed with energy, something unseen but felt.


    ¡®What¡¯s this weird feeling? Feels alive. Like it¡¯s all over the place..¡¯


    His brain was breaking.


    "This isn¡¯t possible!" he tried to scream.


    What they heard was:


    "Bwaaah! Gaaah! Pfffft!"


    Zekka gasped. "Oh, Gunthr, did you hear that? He¡¯s so cute!"


    Gunthr wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Our son is already speaking the language of warriors."


    Yuuta internally screamed.


    He needed to get out of here. He needed answers. He needed to wake up. Something!


    Desperate, he turned to Gunthr, the towering red-haired man whose giant hands could probably crush a boulder. He narrowed his tiny baby eyes, lifted his chubby fist, and bit down on Gunthr¡¯s finger with all the fury of a man wronged by the universe itself.


    ¡®Die! Old hoot!¡¯


    Gunthr blinked.


    Then he laughed.


    A booming, hearty laugh that rattled Yuuta¡¯s entire tiny body.


    Zekka chuckled, brushing a hand through Yuuta¡¯s soft hair. "Oh, he¡¯s going to be a strong one, isn¡¯t he?"


    Yuuta¡¯s tiny body trembled in sheer, unfiltered rage.


    "You dare mock me?!" he squeaked.


    Translation: "Goo! Bwah!"


    Gunthr and Zekka melted.


    "He¡¯s perfect," Zekka whispered, leaning into Gunthr¡¯s shoulder.


    Gunthr nodded, still grinning. "Absolutely perfect."


    Yuuta¡ªno, Kaelis¡ªsat there, fuming, trapped in the body of a helpless infant, while his new parents coddled him with overwhelming love.


    Yuuta¡ªno, Kaelis¡ªwas losing his mind.


    His tiny limbs flailed with frustration as Zekka and Gunthr continued to fawn over him, completely unaware of the existential horror crashing through his brain like a stampede of rabid horses. The warm glow of the fire, the rustic wooden walls, the heavy scent of burning wood and something herbal in the air¡ªit was all too vivid, too real.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t a dream¡­.¡¯


    His breath came quicker, or at least, as quick as a baby¡¯s body would allow. His small chest rose and fell, his tiny fingers twitching with nerves. He had to do something¡ªanything¡ªto prove to himself that this wasn¡¯t reality. Maybe if he moved, maybe if he crawled, maybe if he just¡ª


    His body wobbled.


    Then he fell.


    The world tilted, and for a horrifying moment, his stomach lurched as gravity took hold.


    Panic exploded in his mind.


    ¡®No! I¡¯m gonna die again!¡¯


    The terror was instant and absolute, every cell in his body screaming as the floor seemed to rush toward him. His baby reflexes were useless¡ªhe had no strength, no coordination, nothing to stop himself. He braced for impact, for pain, for another round of getting obliterated and waking up in yet another crazy world¡ª


    But then¡ª


    He stopped.


    No impact. No pain.


    Just¡­ stillness.


    His breath hitched.


    Something was holding him¡ªbut there was no hand, no physical force he could see. Instead, there was a sensation. A strange, foreign, almost invisible, a liquid-like feeling wrapping around his tiny body, suspending him in midair. It wasn¡¯t solid, yet it wasn¡¯t formless either. It was everywhere¡ªin the air, in his skin, in the very space around him.


    It was like gravity itself had shifted, bending to something unseen, something he could feel but not understand.


    His heartbeat thundered in his ears.


    ¡®What is this?¡¯


    The realization hit him like a cold shock to the spine.


    This was the same sensation he¡¯d felt earlier. That strange, lingering presence in the air¡ªlike the world itself was alive, humming with energy. He could feel it now, clearer than before, wrapping around his tiny frame, cradling him like invisible hands.


    It wasn¡¯t just air.


    It was something else.


    Something real.


    His baby body trembled. His mind, despite its 17 year old consciousness, struggled to grasp what was happening. It was like touching water for the first time and realizing it could flow through your fingers¡ªexcept this wasn¡¯t water. It was something more fundamental, more intrinsic to the world itself.


    Then, just as quickly as it happened, the sensation shifted¡ª


    And actual hands caught him.


    Zekka''s arms wrapped around him, pulling him close to her chest in a protective embrace. The warmth of her skin, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat¡ªit was grounding, bringing him back from the surreal moment of weightlessness.


    "Oh, my little Kaelis," she breathed, holding him tight. "You scared me!"


    Gunthr chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched the scene unfold. "Only a few minutes old, and he¡¯s already throwing himself around. Reckless little thing, aren¡¯t you?"


    Yuuta¡ªKaelis¡ªbarely heard them. His tiny fingers curled slightly, his mind still reeling from what had just happened. His entire body remembered the sensation of that strange force, that energy that had surrounded him. It was still there, lingering in the air, in the space around him, in *him.*


    He didn¡¯t know how, and he sure as hell didn¡¯t know why, but one thing was now painfully clear¡ª


    This world had magic.


    And it had just saved his life.


    His wide eyes flickered between Zekka and Gunthr, still frozen in shock, his tiny baby brain struggling to process it all.


    Zekka smiled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Shh, you¡¯re safe," she murmured. "You have to be more careful, little one."


    Gunthr let out another deep laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "If he¡¯s this wild already, we¡¯re in for trouble when he actually learns how to walk."


    Kaelis just stared, his tiny body still tense, his mind running in a thousand directions.


    He had been reborn. His name was now Kaelis. He had parents who clearly adored him. And now, on top of all that insanity, he had just felt magic with his own body.


    ¡®What kind of world did I end up in?¡¯


    His tiny lips parted, but all that came out was a pathetic squeak.


    Gunthr and Zekka melted.


    "Aww, he¡¯s still talking!" Zekka gushed.


    Gunthr grinned. "That¡¯s my boy!"


    Kaelis internally screamed.


    The warmth of their embrace should have meant something.


    ¡®Why don¡¯t I feel anything?¡¯


    Kaelis blinked, his breath catching for just a moment as he sat there, unmoving. Their arms wrapped around him, their voices filled with love¡ªyet all he felt was the weight of it. Nothing else.


    ¡®Warmth.¡¯


    ¡®It¡¯s everywhere. Pressing into me, wrapping around me, sinking into my skin. It should mean something. Shouldn¡¯t it? They¡¯re happy. I can hear it in their voices, feel it in the way they hold me. My mother¡¯s arms are trembling, but she won¡¯t let go. My father¡¯s voice cracks when he says my name¡ªKaelis. Their son. Their child.¡¯


    ¡®But I don¡¯t feel it. Not the way I should. It¡¯s there. Right in front of me. But it¡¯s distant. Like a fire burning behind glass¡ªclose enough to see, too far to warm me. They love me. I know that much. So why does it feel like I¡¯m watching it happen to someone else? It feels wrong..like I¡¯ve taken the place of the baby that was supposed to be here. If they find out about me and what¡¯s really happening, will they abandon me too? I feel like i''m an intruder of life that wasn¡¯t meant for me..but I¡¯m here.¡¯


    ¡®I used to think this was what I wanted. To be held, to be wanted. I saw families holding their children, saw the way they looked at them, like they were the most important thing in the world. I used to think¡ªif I had that, maybe everything would be different. Maybe I wouldn¡¯t feel like I was drifting through life, like I was waiting for something that would never come. But now I¡¯m here. And it still feels the damn same.¡¯


    ¡®Maybe love isn¡¯t what makes people whole. Maybe I¡¯ve been chasing the wrong thing all along. My hands are small. Too small. I can barely curl my fingers, but I can still feel them trembling. I want to reach for something¡ªsomething real, something that won¡¯t slip through my fingers like this feeling, this warmth that isn¡¯t mine. What else is there?¡¯


    ¡®Power?¡¯


    ¡®That¡¯s real. That¡¯s something I can hold, something I can carve into my own hands if I have to. If I have power, then it doesn¡¯t matter if I don¡¯t feel this warmth. It doesn¡¯t matter if I don¡¯t belong to it. If I¡¯m strong enough, then nothing else will matter. Not the past. Not this hollowness. Not the feeling that I¡¯m lost, grasping at something I¡¯ll never reach. Just the thought of it..my heart is racing. It shouldn¡¯t be, but it is.¡¯


    ¡®I won¡¯t die. I refuse to.¡¯


    ¡®They¡¯re so happy¡­ so warm¡­ but I¡¯m not. I should be. Shouldn¡¯t I? Isn¡¯t this what I always wanted? To be held, to be wanted? I watched from a distance my entire life, seeing people laugh, seeing them cry, seeing them embrace. I thought if I had it too, maybe everything would be different. Maybe I¡¯d finally feel whole. But I¡¯m here, and it¡¯s the same. That same hollowness. That same distance.¡¯


    ¡®Maybe love doesn¡¯t fix people. Maybe I was never meant to belong. But now¡­ now, there¡¯s power.¡¯


    ¡®Real, tangible, living power. I don¡¯t know what this world is called, don¡¯t know what those strange forces are that I just felt, but they exist. Magic exists. I don¡¯t care what it is¡ªI¡¯ll take it, claim it, make it mine. If this world has power, then I¡¯ll carve it into myself until I am nothing like what I was before. That weak, pathetic excuse for a person¡ªthat worthless boy who trudged through life, pretending he didn¡¯t care that he was born with nothing. I was never meant to be special. I knew that from the beginning.¡¯


    ¡®Dropped off at an orphanage before I was old enough to remember until I was told it happened, surrounded by kids just like me, yet I never felt like one of them. I should have¡ªwasn¡¯t I alone too?¡ªbut the feeling never came. Instead, there was only that gnawing, unbearable certainty that I didn¡¯t belong there. That I didn¡¯t belong anywhere. It wasn¡¯t them that pushed me away¡ªI was the one who left. I ran, searching for something, anything, that would tell me I wasn¡¯t just a mistake. But I never found it. And the end did come, didn¡¯t it?¡¯


    ¡®I should laugh, but I can¡¯t. I did die. But I¡¯m still here. And this world, whatever it is, has given me something. A second chance. I won¡¯t waste it. I don¡¯t know if I belong here either, but that doesn¡¯t matter. I won¡¯t just drift through this life like before, waiting for something that will never come. I will make something of myself. I guess I¡¯ll carve my own worth into existence. I won¡¯t die, not here, not ever. I will take what I was supposed to have. I will become something.¡¯


    ¡®But¡­ what?¡¯


    ¡®Someone who belongs?¡¯


    ¡®Does it matter? Power is what matters. Power is real. Power is something I can hold, something that won¡¯t leave me empty. I will become strong enough that nothing¡ªnot fate, not weakness, not my past¡ªwill decide what I am really meant for. If my past life was just a lie, if my past life was just a horrible dream¡­I refuse to be that worthless boy ever again.¡¯


    ¡®Will power fill that empty void in me..?¡¯


    His lips almost curled at the thought¡ªhis first real feeling since arriving here. It wasn¡¯t warmth, it wasn¡¯t comfort. It was excitement. He began to smile widely, rubbing his baby hands together.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know what love really is, but I know what power can be. I guess I''m Kaelis now. Yuuta is a name I¡¯ll abandon forever.¡¯


    ¡®I¡¯ll be unstoppable..!¡¯

 Chapter 2: Escape Plan

    Kaelis sat there, cradled in Zekka¡¯s arms, as the minutes ticked by. First one. Then another. Then five. Then ten. They were just staring at him.


    He blinked.


    Then blinked again.


    They weren¡¯t stopping.


    Zekka¡¯s soft eyes glistened with warmth, filled with something deep and unreadable. Gunthr, towering beside her, had his arms crossed, nodding to himself as if he had just finished carving a legendary weapon and was admiring the results.


    Neither of them spoke.


    Neither of them moved.


    They just kept smiling.


    What the hell is wrong with these people?


    Kaelis shifted uncomfortably, his tiny fingers clenching and unclenching instinctively. His body still wasn¡¯t fully cooperating with him, but his mind was screaming at the sheer awkwardness of this situation.


    ¡®Why are they staring at me? It¡¯s been at LEAST twenty minutes! Twenty! Who just sits there and stares at a baby for that long?! Say something! Do something! Are they crazy?! Are they about to sacrifice me to some ancient deity?! Are they gonna EAT me?!¡¯


    He gulped.


    ¡®Oh, god. What if they think I¡¯m some kind of divine offering? Or worse¡ªwhat if they just like staring at me? What if this is normal here? What if I¡¯ve been born into a family of absolute lunatics?!¡¯


    He tried to speak, to demand they explain themselves, but all that came out was:


    ¡°Bwah! Baah!¡±


    Gunthr gasped dramatically. ¡°Did you hear that? He called my name!¡±


    Zekka let out a soft chuckle. ¡°Haha, no he didn¡¯t.¡±


    Kaelis internally screamed.


    ¡®No! That wasn¡¯t words, that was panic! I was trying to ask why the hell you¡¯re just staring at me like I¡¯m some kind of ritualistic idol!¡¯


    Gunthr grinned. ¡°He¡¯s got that fighting spirit, I can tell. He¡¯ll definitely be something in this world.¡±


    ¡®I HAVE EXISTENTIAL DREAD, FOOLISH MAN.¡¯ Kaelis screamed in his head.


    Finally, after what felt like ages, Zekka¡¯s serene voice cut through the silence. ¡°He must be hungry.¡±


    Kaelis froze.


    ¡®Hungry?¡¯


    He glanced around, trying to figure out what kind of food even existed in this weird medieval world.


    ¡®Do they eat normal things? Bread? Soup? Do they eat bugs? What if it¡¯s something awful? What if it¡¯s some weird gelatinous fish paste or something cursed like that? What if they expect me to eat it raw?!¡¯


    His internal spiral was cut short when Zekka adjusted her hold on him.


    Then¡ª


    She started untying part of her gown.


    Kaelis¡¯ soul left his body.


    ¡®OH NO. OH NO NO NO. STOP! STOP IT! I¡¯M A TEENAGER! Kinda, not right now, but my MIND IS.¡¯


    He immediately struggled, tiny limbs flailing uselessly, his little fingers curling into the fabric of the blanket as if he could physically anchor himself against the horror about to unfold.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t happening. This CAN¡¯T be happening. I REFUSE for this to be happening!¡¯


    Gunthr stretched with a groan, completely oblivious to Kaelis¡¯ internal breakdown. ¡°I¡¯ll go gather some thyrm roots and vashir blossoms while he eats,¡± he said casually. ¡°Best time to do it. Helps with your post-labor recovery.¡±


    Zekka nodded appreciatively. ¡°That would be wonderful, dear.¡±


    Gunthr gave a thumbs-up. ¡°Back in a bit!¡± He turned toward the door, whistling as he left, adding a jolly skip to his step.


    Kaelis, however, was not doing wonderful.


    His entire being was actively trying to reject reality.


    ¡®I won¡¯t allow it! I mean..it¡¯s not like she knows, it¡¯s not her fault, and I can¡¯t blame her for any of this, but still!¡¯


    And yet¡ª


    His baby body had other ideas.


    The moment Zekka shifted him closer, his baby instincts betrayed him.


    His body reached forward automatically, despite his brain screaming in resistance.


    ¡®NO. I CAN RESIST. I HAVE WILLPOWER. I AM STRONG.¡¯


    His head tilted away, trembling, face burning with sheer embarrassment.


    Zekka smiled warmly, completely unaware of the absolute war raging within his soul. ¡°There, there. No need to fuss.¡±


    Kaelis fussed harder.


    His baby body twitched. His nerves fired off their signals. The hunger won.


    And then¡ª


    It happened. He gave in, his entire world shattered; There was no coming back from this.


    Zekka chuckled softly. ¡°See? That wasn¡¯t so bad, was it?¡±


    Gunthr returned just in time to see Kaelis finally settle down. He smirked, holding up the herbs. ¡°Wild little guy, isn¡¯t he? But he eventually loosens up, huh?¡±


    Zekka smiled. ¡°He does.¡±


    Kaelis silently screamed into the abyss.


    ¡®BLEGH!¡¯


    ¡­


    Kaelis had a goal. A noble goal. A necessary goal.


    Escape.


    He wasn¡¯t going to spend another day being trapped in this house, coddled and watched like some kind of sacred artifact. No, he was going to see the world. Explore. Find answers.


    ¡®But first, I NEED to get past them.¡¯


    Gunthr and Zekka.


    His two greatest obstacles. His warden and jailer. His towering, all-knowing, parental nightmares. But Kaelis wasn¡¯t going to let that stop him. He had a plan.


    Attempt 1: The Classic Roll & Crawl


    ¡®This is it!!¡¯


    The moment Zekka laid him down for a nap, he activated his plan.


    Phase one: Rolling.


    Slowly, methodically, he wiggled his body from side to side, shifting inch by inch toward the edge of the bed.


    ¡®Almost there! You got it, Kaelis!¡¯


    Phase two: Crawling.


    His little arms pushed against the bed, moving as fast as his traitorous, underdeveloped limbs would allow. He could already see it¡ªfreedom. The open floor. The doorway. The outside world was calling to him.


    ¡®Ha! Fools! I¡¯ve outsmarted you adults!¡¯


    Then¡ª


    A shadow loomed, Kaelis had looked up, seeing that Zekka was standing over him, smiling serenely.


    ¡°Where are you going, little one?¡±


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Kaelis froze.


    ¡®How?! How did she get there so fast?! I didn¡¯t even hear her move! Tch. She must be taken seriously.¡¯


    She effortlessly scooped him up and placed him back in the center of the bed. ¡°You must be tired,¡± she hummed, tucking him in tighter than before.


    Kaelis screamed internally.


    Attempt 2: The Stealth Approach


    ¡®Alright. Clearly, rolling around like a dying fish wasn¡¯t working. I need stealth! Like those assassins from those games and movies, I have to mimic them if I aim to linger past these two, even though..this baby body is a greater obstacle than the two of them combined!¡¯


    That night, when the house was quiet and Gunthr was snoring loud enough to shake the walls, Kaelis made his move.


    He wriggled free from his blanket cocoon, dropped down onto the soft rug below, and began his slowest, most careful crawl toward the door.


    Inch by inch, second by second, the door was right there. Victory was near.


    ¡®HA! I knew this would work¡ª!¡¯


    Then¡ªA massive foot blocked his path. He craned his tiny neck up.


    Gunthr was sleeping.


    The man stopped right in front of him, yawned, scratched his belly¡­ then turned around and walked back to bed.


    Kaelis sighed in relief¡ªuntil a huge gust of wind blew in from the window, sending him sliding all the way back to his crib.


    Gunthr rolled over and mumbled, ¡°Mmm¡­ wind¡¯s too strong today¡­¡± before falling right back asleep. ¡°Haha¡­my son¡­my dear son tried to escape..¡±


    Kaelis silently seethed.


    ¡®AGHHHHHH!¡¯


    Attempt 3: The Brute Force Method


    ¡®Enough fucking games. If stealth didn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll use power.¡¯


    Kaelis threw himself at the wooden bars of his crib, rattling them with all his might.


    ¡®Come on, come on, break already!¡¯


    His tiny hands clutched at the wood, straining with all the strength his baby muscles could muster¡ª


    Then the entire crib lifted off the ground.


    Kaelis blinked.


    Zekka stood there, effortlessly floating the entire crib into the air with her Gravity Kenda.


    She smiled down at him. ¡°You¡¯re quite the determined one, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Kaelis let go immediately. The crib settled back onto the floor, and she gently tucked him in again.


    ¡°Nice try,¡± she whispered.


    Kaelis glared, sitting down and folding his arms.


    Attempt 4: The Ill-Fated Window Escape


    ¡®This is it, my ultimate move.¡¯


    If he couldn¡¯t escape through the door, he¡¯d use the window.


    He climbed onto a chair (with great difficulty), then stood on wobbly, unsteady baby legs, gripping the window frame for support.


    Almost there¡­ just a little more¡ª


    Then a hand grabbed his collar.


    Gunthr held him up like a misbehaving cat.


    ¡°Nice weather outside,¡± Gunthr mused. ¡°Too bad you¡¯re supposed to be inside.¡±


    Kaelis refused to look at him.


    Gunthr chuckled, tossing him gently into the air before catching him again. ¡°You really don¡¯t like staying put, huh?¡±


    Kaelis crossed his tiny arms and pouted.


    ¡®This is impossible!¡¯


    Zekka walked in, arms crossed. ¡°I told you he¡¯d try the window next.¡±


    Gunthr grinned. ¡°Didn¡¯t think he¡¯d actually make it up there, though. Haha!¡±


    ¡°He really is reckless like you, dear.¡±


    ¡°Pfft. I¡¯m not THAT reckless.¡±


    Kaelis, still dangling in the air, cursed everything.


    ¡°Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! If only they could understand me!¡±


    Final Attempt: The Ultimate Distraction Plan


    Kaelis had one last idea.


    If he couldn¡¯t escape, he¡¯d make them put him outside themselves.


    So, when Zekka placed him in his crib for the night, he took a deep breath and let out the loudest, most dramatic cry of his life.


    ¡®That¡¯s it..imitate the annoying screaming babies from my world. These two will have no choice but to pick me up!¡¯


    Wailing. Kicking. Flailing, He thrashed like a tiny demon, screaming at full volume.


    Zekka and Gunthr rushed in immediately.


    Zekka knelt beside him, rubbing his tiny back. ¡°Shh, shh, little one. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Gunthr tilted his head. ¡°You think he wants fresh air?¡±


    Kaelis stopped crying instantly.


    ¡®YES! Give it to me! So I can jump the hell out!¡¯


    Zekka blinked. ¡°He¡­ stopped.¡±


    Gunthr nodded. ¡°Yup. He just wants some air.¡±


    Kaelis grinned internally. Finally. He had won.


    Then¡ªGunthr opened the window.


    ¡°There. Nice fresh air,¡± he said proudly.


    Kaelis stared in horror. Gunthr and Zekka patted his head, kissed his forehead, and tucked him in.


    Zekka smiled. ¡°See? You just needed a breeze.¡±


    Kaelis screamed into his pillow.


    ¡®DAMMIT!¡¯


    (Night time)


    Kaelis lay in his wooden crib, staring up at the ceiling. The faint flickering glow of a candle in the corner cast long, wavering shadows against the wood, dancing along the rough grain like restless spirits. The house had settled into the deep stillness of the night, the only sounds being the faint rustling of the wind outside and the distant hoot of an owl.


    His body was warm beneath the soft blanket Zekka had wrapped him in, but his mind refused to rest.


    ¡®I give up.¡¯


    The thought came with an exhale as his tiny fingers absently curled into the fabric covering him.


    ¡®What¡¯s the point? I¡¯m not escaping this place.¡¯


    He had tried. Over and over. He had schemed, planned, fought against his ridiculous baby body¡ªand failed every single time.


    ¡®I should¡¯ve known from the start. Those two are too attentive, too caring, too¡­ mushy. There was no way they¡¯d let me out of their sight, not when they looked at me like I was the most precious thing in the world.¡¯


    He groaned internally.


    ¡®Why didn¡¯t I think of this earlier? Of course they weren¡¯t going to let me go anywhere. What was I expecting?¡¯


    He rolled onto his side, staring at the wooden bars of his crib. He felt a strange mix of frustration and resignation curling in his chest.


    ¡®I was a fool.¡¯


    His body was useless right now. His strength was nonexistent. He was stuck here whether he liked it or not.


    But then¡ª


    A thought. A slow, creeping realization, followed along with an evil grin.


    ¡®Maybe¡­maybe I should use them..¡¯


    Not in a malicious way¡ªhe wasn¡¯t some heartless bastard¡ªbut in a practical way. They were his only connection to this world. If he wanted to understand it, if he wanted to grow stronger, then he had to learn from them.


    And if this world had magic¡­


    His fingers twitched.


    ¡®Then I¡¯ll learn everything I can.¡¯


    With that final thought, his body sank deeper into the blanket¡¯s warmth, exhaustion creeping up on him. His heavy eyelids drooped, and before he knew it, sleep took him.


    In another room, a warm glow flickered from a single candle resting on a wooden table. The bedroom was simple but lived-in¡ªhandcrafted furniture with rough edges, a fur-lined chair near the stone hearth, and a large bed of thick wool and cotton. A set of swords hung on the far wall, their edges worn from years of use, next to a large wooden chest that bore the scars of countless journeys.


    Zekka sat on the edge of the bed, absently running a hand through her long, peach-white hair. Her other hand rested against her lap, fingers gripping the fabric of her nightdress as she stared down at the wooden floor.


    Gunthr, standing near the window, glanced at her as he worked a strap on his wrist loose. ¡°You¡¯re thinking too hard again,¡± he murmured.


    Zekka exhaled softly. ¡°I can¡¯t help it.¡±


    Gunthr smirked, rolling his shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re worried about Kaelis.¡±


    Zekka didn¡¯t answer immediately. She just nodded, her fingers tightening slightly.


    ¡°I just¡­ I know he¡¯s still a baby, but I can feel it,¡± she admitted. ¡°I can see it in his eyes, the way he looks at things, the way he moves. He¡¯s going to be reckless when he grows up. He¡¯s gonna be eager¡­eager to fight..eager to learn Kenda..I¡ª.¡±


    Gunthr chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s not necessarily a bad thing.¡±


    Zekka¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°It can be. Candlet..do you remember him? Our first party member we ever lost¡­¡±


    Gunthr sat beside her, leaning back on his palms, his head tilted slightly as he watched her.


    Zekka stared at the floor, her grip tightening on the fabric of her nightdress.


    ¡®I¡¯ve seen it before. Adventurers, young and eager, too blinded by ambition to see when they¡¯re stepping into their own graves. Hunters laughing over a drink one night, dead the next morning because they thought they could handle just one more contract. I don¡¯t want that for him.¡¯


    She closed her eyes, a bitter thought creeping in.


    ¡®And yet¡­ will I become the kind of mother who never lets him breathe?¡¯


    She had fought for years, risking her life over and over again, all for the chance to have a child. And every time she failed, the weight of it nearly crushed her.


    ¡®I was ready to give up. I told myself it wasn¡¯t meant to be¡­ but I still tried. And now that he¡¯s here, can I really let him go so easily if the time came?¡¯


    Gunthr studied her for a moment, then reached over, resting a large, calloused hand over hers.


    ¡°We¡¯ll make sure he grows strong,¡± he said. ¡°But he¡¯s not a prisoner, Zekka. You know that, right?¡±


    Zekka looked away. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to tell him she wasn¡¯t going to smother their son out of fear.


    But the words wouldn¡¯t come.


    Gunthr glanced toward the window, watching as the candlelight flickered against the glass.


    He understood. More than he let on.


    He closed his eyes briefly. ¡°Being trapped¡­ it changes you. It makes you feel like the world is moving without you, that you¡¯re suffocating under someone else¡¯s choices.¡±


    For a brief moment, a memory surfaced. Cold, bitter nights. The sound of his father¡¯s heavy boots on the floorboards. That feeling of being powerless, of knowing his life wasn¡¯t his own.


    Gunthr clenched his jaw slightly, then quickly relaxed it, rolling his shoulders and fixing his posture before Zekka could notice.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let Kaelis feel that. This is a miracle that we¡¯re having him. First time parents, we don¡¯t have much experience with it. We were going into dungeons and labyrinths looking for things that may or may not exist, and now that we¡¯ve finally settled down, we¡¯ve got what we wanted. But we survived so long because we have power. If we don¡¯t want Kaelis being taken away from us, he has to have power too.¡±


    Zekka sighed and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡®I don¡¯t want him to be weak¡­but I don¡¯t want him getting into danger like we did. After so many failed attempts at having a child, I don¡¯t want my pain..and Gunthr¡¯s pain, to be in vain. Like it was a waste..I can¡¯t let that happen..¡¯


    Gunthr let out a slow breath, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.


    For now, Kaelis was safe.


    That was enough for them.

 Chapter 3: The First Apostle

    Kaelis lay in his cradle, his tiny body wrapped in thick furs that smelled of earth and faint embers from the distant hearth. His eyelids were heavy, but sleep never came easy to him¡ªnot because he was tired, but because his mind never truly stopped moving. It had been like this since the moment he was born into this world. Or rather, since the moment he awoke in it.


    The wooden beams above him were wrapped in something¡ªvines, maybe, but not like the ones from his past life. These pulsed faintly, their blackened veins shifting against the ceiling as if they were alive, not just growing but subtly writhing. It wasn¡¯t much, just the tiniest motion, so small that an ordinary infant wouldn¡¯t have noticed. But Kaelis did. He had spent too much time in this fragile body not to notice.


    He shifted, turning his head toward the open window where a warm breeze rolled in, carrying a scent he still hadn¡¯t gotten used to. It was thick, heavy, something deep and rich, like the smell of fresh soil right after a storm, but also something else¡ªsomething that wasn¡¯t just nature but an energy woven into it. A scent that told him the world itself was breathing.


    His fingers curled weakly, frustration prickling at his mind as his underdeveloped body refused to keep up with his thoughts. He had already tried to rationalize it¡ªperhaps his infant senses were simply stronger, making everything feel more exaggerated. But even that didn¡¯t explain what he had seen outside.


    His grey eyes drifted toward the open window, watching the garden beyond the wooden frame of his home. The grass stretched far beyond his vision, not green, but streaked with deep violet and pale blue, shifting colors as the wind passed through. And the trees¡ªtheir leaves did not just sway; they twisted and coiled, bending unnaturally, as if reacting to the very presence of those who walked beneath them.


    ¡®That¡¯s not normal¡­what¡¯s the deal with them?¡¯


    And yet, here he was, staring at something that defied logic, something that made his old world feel like a dream, and this one a lucid, waking vision.


    Then, he heard voices¡ªhis mother and father speaking in soft, warm tones.


    ¡°Do you want to see the garden?¡± Zekka¡¯s voice was gentle as she leaned over his cradle, lifting him up with ease. Gunthr stood nearby, arms crossed but a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched them. ¡°It¡¯s a nice day, Kaelis. Let¡¯s take a walk, hm?¡±


    Kaelis didn¡¯t get a choice in the matter, not that he resisted. His tiny fingers barely fit around the fabric of his mother¡¯s cloak as she carried him outside. The moment they stepped into the garden, the air changed. It was subtle, but Kaelis felt it immediately¡ªthe shift of the wind, the way the plants moved in ways that didn¡¯t feel random.


    ¡®This is insane..a garden that''s INSANELY different from the plants and gardens from my own world.¡¯


    His mother knelt, lowering him toward a patch of golden ferns swaying gently in the breeze. She ran her hand through them, and Kaelis¡¯ breath hitched ever so slightly when the stems curled at her touch, as if responding to her. When she pulled away, the tips of the ferns glowed faintly for a few seconds before fading back to normal.


    Kaelis¡¯ tiny fingers twitched. ¡®It reacted to her?!¡¯


    His mother¡¯s expression remained the same¡ªas if she hadn¡¯t noticed anything unusual. As if this was just¡­ normal.


    She guided his small hand toward the ferns, letting him touch them. At first, they didn¡¯t react, but as his fingers brushed the surface, the warmth of his skin met something odd.


    They were soft, but not like regular plants. There was something underneath, something faint, like a pulse¡ªor was he imagining it? A trick of his underdeveloped senses?


    His father chuckled from above. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s curious.¡±


    Zekka smiled. ¡°He¡¯s always curious.¡±


    She stood, adjusting him in her arms as they moved deeper into the garden. Kaelis¡¯ eyes roamed across the strange flora¡ªsome of the flowers had translucent petals, revealing veins inside that shimmered like molten gold. Others released faint streams of glowing mist, rising like candle smoke before fading into the air.


    ¡®Honestly, I¡¯m amazed right now¡­even the flowers and stuff are peaceful. I haven¡¯t felt anything like this in so long..¡¯


    Then he saw something even stranger.


    A single, hanging fruit dangled from a tree branch. It was unlike anything he had ever seen¡ªthe surface wasn¡¯t solid, but translucent, like liquid trapped inside a delicate shell. And then, as a gentle wind passed through, the fruit chimed.


    Kaelis stiffened slightly, his tiny hands gripping his mother¡¯s cloak. It was a sound, like glass bells ringing softly in the wind. He had been trying to rationalize things up until now, telling himself that this was simply an exotic ecosystem, something that made sense in its own way. But this?


    ¡®WHAAAA?¡¯


    His mother didn¡¯t even glance at it.


    Gunthr, however, must have noticed the way Kaelis kept staring because he smirked. ¡°That one¡¯s a Moonfruit. Haven¡¯t ripened yet, but when they do, they sing instead of chime.¡±


    ¡®Sing? Fruits that can sing? Yeah this is some kind of happy wonderland. I feel nothing but peace, no danger, nothing hostile at all. It feels like I¡¯m in a fantasy book, now I¡¯m expecting to see flying books or a giant dragon come out of nowhere any moment now.¡¯


    He opened his mouth, but no words came¡ªhis body too young, his voice too weak.


    His mother chuckled, holding him closer. ¡°You like that one, don¡¯t you?¡± She reached out, brushing the fruit with her fingertips. The liquid inside shifted, swirling lazily, and the tree trembled just slightly as if recognizing her presence.


    Kaelis wasn¡¯t sure how long they walked, how many things he observed that defied every natural law he had once understood. The further they went, the more unnatural everything became, and yet¡ªno one questioned it. Not his mother. Not his father. To them, this was life.


    By the time they returned to the house, Kaelis had already gone quiet, deep in thought.


    He was still trying to process it all.


    ¡®Was this what magic truly was? Not just spells and enchantments, but something deeper? Something woven into the very nature of this world? Awesome..! Perhaps these could be used to aid my ascendence!¡¯


    His mother kissed his forehead as she laid him back in his crib. ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in, isn¡¯t it?¡± she whispered softly.


    Kaelis wasn¡¯t sure if she meant it as just a simple remark, but the words lingered in his mind as he stared at the wooden beams above, where the vines still pulsed ever so slightly.


    ¡®Yes. It was a lot to take in.¡¯


    And for the first time, he wondered if he was the strange one¡ªnot the world.


    The warm scent of roasted meat and herbs drifted through the small wooden home, mixing with the faint crackle of the hearth. Kaelis lay bundled in his cradle, his small fingers occasionally twitching as he listened to the faint sounds of movement around him. The clatter of plates, the scrape of a knife against wood, the low hum of voices¡ªthese things were familiar, comfortable.


    But the food itself? That was something entirely different.


    Gunthr sat at the large wooden table, sleeves rolled up, a sharp knife in one hand and a thick slab of something that looked like meat in front of him. The texture was different than anything Kaelis had seen in his old world¡ªdark, almost marbled with streaks of deep crimson, yet when sliced, the inside shimmered faintly, as if reflecting the firelight unnaturally. Zekka stood at the counter, carefully peeling the skin from something that looked like a potato but had a strange, waxy sheen, and with each cut, the inside shifted in color, turning from pale gold to deep purple as if reacting to the air.


    ¡®That¡¯s¡­ odd. It looks crazy, like if I eat it, then I¡¯ll turn into it..¡¯


    He wasn¡¯t sure why he expected things to be exactly the same. Even though the house itself felt like something from his old world¡ªwooden beams, a stone fireplace, the warmth of a home¡ªthe details were always just slightly off. It made him uneasy sometimes, like he was constantly on the edge of familiarity but never truly inside it.


    Gunthr stretched, exhaling as he set the knife down and cracked his knuckles. ¡°I think today calls for something special,¡± he said, rolling his shoulders.


    Kaelis blinked, already feeling a sense of impending disaster.


    Gunthr leaned forward, grinning as he raised a hand over the table, his fingers flexing slightly. The air in the room shifted, barely noticeable at first, just a faint disturbance, but Kaelis felt it¡ªsomething unseen moving, bending at Gunthr¡¯s command.


    Then, with a sudden flick of his wrist, the knife lifted slightly off the table.


    Kaelis¡¯ eyes widened.


    What¡ª


    Zekka sighed. ¡°Gunthr.¡±


    Gunthr ignored her, grinning as he twisted his hand. The knife spun in the air, slowly, as if caught in an invisible current. The movement was fluid, controlled. He wasn¡¯t even touching it. The wind itself was carrying it.


    ¡°HAHA! Feast your baby eyes, Kaelis! See how perfect I am!¡±


    Zekka rolled her eyes, shaking her head.


    Kaelis felt his mind start to race.


    ¡®Is that the magic stuff? He has wind..how boring.¡¯


    Gunthr smirked, his eyes flicking toward Kaelis in the cradle. ¡°Watch closely, son,¡± he said, raising a finger dramatically. ¡°This is how a true master of the blade prepares dinner.¡±


    Zekka snorted. ¡°A master of the blade? You¡¯re not even touching it.¡±


    ¡°Hmph! You¡¯ll see! I¡¯ll show all who doubt me!¡±


    Kaelis saw where this was going, the knife was going way too fast.


    ¡®Wait wait wait isn¡¯t that dangerous?! What if it hits me?!¡¯


    The knife spun higher, twirling perfectly in the air. Then, with a flick of his fingers, he sent it flying toward the slab of meat.


    Or at least, he meant to.


    Instead, the knife swerved midair, spun wildly, and shot straight toward him.


    Gunthr let out a very undignified yelp like a girl as he ducked at the last second, the knife narrowly missing his head and embedding itself into the wooden beam behind him with a loud thud.


    For a moment, there was silence.


    Kaelis just blinked. And he started laughing. Not at what happened at all, but the way Gunthr screamed like a girl.


    Gunthr then got excited, raising his fist, ¡°Ha! I made our son laugh first! He loves me more!¡±


    Then Zekka burst into laughter.


    ¡°Oh, yes,¡± she said between chuckles, crossing her arms as she leaned against the counter. ¡°Truly the work of a master.¡±


    Gunthr coughed, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°The air in here¡¯s a little different than outside. That¡¯s all.¡±


    Zekka wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still smiling. ¡°Mm-hm.¡±


    Gunthr cleared his throat, turning to Kaelis in his cradle, as if expecting some kind of support. ¡°You believe me, don¡¯t you, son?¡±


    Kaelis just stared, the smile still curling on his baby face.


    ¡®You almost killed yourself.¡¯


    Gunthr exhaled. ¡°Right. Tough crowd. Still made Kaelis laugh. That¡¯s a win for me. I feel complete in life.¡±


    Zekka chuckled, shaking her head as she turned back to the food. ¡°Just help me with the rest of this before you hurt yourself.¡±


    Gunthr grumbled something under his breath, reaching for a different knife¡ªthis time, with his hands.


    Kaelis wasn¡¯t sure what just happened, but his thoughts kept circling back to the way his father had moved the air, the way the knife had floated, how everything had seemed so effortless until it¡­ wasn¡¯t.


    ¡®Even with all the shenanigans, that wasn¡¯t just strength. That wasn¡¯t just skill. I WANT IT. When can I learn this magic stuff?¡¯


    Kaelis¡¯ fingers twitched slightly.


    ¡®What is that?¡¯


    The scent of food filled the house as the meal came together. Despite his confusion, his small body was still ruled by instinct, and as Zekka carried him to the table, he couldn¡¯t help but stare at the dishes placed before them.


    Some of the food looked normal. The roasted meat, now sliced properly without any airborne knives involved, looked rich and seasoned, its juices seeping into the wooden platter beneath it. The strange color it had before had faded slightly after cooking, leaving it looking almost normal¡ªuntil the juices caught the light and shimmered faintly like liquid metal.


    The vegetables were even stranger. Some were leafy and thick like cabbage but had faint veins of light running through them, pulsing softly as if alive. Others had translucent layers that changed color with every shift of the light, shifting between deep reds and blues.


    Zekka smiled as she gently fed Kaelis small bites, her movements practiced and careful. He didn¡¯t resist, though his mind was still reeling.


    ¡®It tastes..amazing!¡¯


    Gunthr leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he sighed in satisfaction. ¡°See? No injuries, no disasters. This meal is a success. I made Kaelis laugh, and he enjoy my food.¡±¡±


    Zekka raised an eyebrow. ¡°The knife is still stuck in the wall.¡±


    Gunthr waved a hand. ¡°It adds character to the house.¡±


    Kaelis just stared at his father, then at his mother.


    Then, despite himself, his tiny mouth curled slightly at the edges.


    Zekka hummed softly as she adjusted the tiny handcrafted tunic over Kaelis, making sure the fabric rested comfortably against his chubby arms. The warm glow of the morning sun spilled through the wooden shutters, casting soft light across the room. Outside, the distant rustling of trees and the occasional chirping of birds added a peaceful rhythm to the moment.


    But Kaelis wasn¡¯t focused on any of that.


    His attention was locked onto the figure moving outside.


    Gunthr.


    ¡®Finally! Some action..¡¯ Kaelis¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    The red-haired warrior Gunthr sat cross-legged in the open yard, completely still. The air around him was oddly¡­ alive. The morning breeze stirred unnaturally, responding to his presence, twisting in careful, rhythmic patterns.


    Kaelis narrowed his eyes, his tiny hands gripping the fabric of his tunic as he leaned slightly to get a better look.


    ¡®What¡¯s he doing? Is this the magic power stuff? I gotta pay attention..see how he does it, then I can easily mimic it!¡¯


    For several minutes, Gunthr remained motionless, his chest rising and falling in deep, controlled breaths. Then, suddenly¡ª


    A shift.


    The air around him pulsed, vibrating in an unseen rhythm. The grass flattened beneath an invisible force, leaves swayed despite the lack of wind. And then¡ªGunthr exhaled sharply.


    Wind exploded outward in a controlled burst, yet not a single leaf was torn from its branch. It wasn¡¯t just wild force¡ªit was precision.


    Kaelis¡¯ mind reeled. ¡®He¡¯s controlling the air?!¡¯


    Gunthr¡¯s eyes fluttered open, wiping a trickle of blood from his nose. His head tilted slightly, as if dealing with a dull ache, before he exhaled and rose to his feet.


    Kaelis noticed.


    ¡®His nose is bleeding..¡¯


    The moment of stillness had cost something. That wasn¡¯t just simple breathing¡ªit was something deeper. His mind immediately connected the dots. That wasn¡¯t just relaxation. That was something else entirely.


    He kept watching.


    Gunthr strode toward a rack of wooden weapons propped against the outer wall of their home. He grabbed a wooden spear first, rolling his shoulders before gripping it in both hands. The second he did¡ªthe wind surged.


    It curled around him like an extension of his body, wrapping around the spear¡¯s shaft in subtle, shifting currents. It wasn¡¯t a violent gust¡ªit was controlled. Directed.


    Gunthr took a step, and the wind stepped with him.


    He twirled the spear effortlessly, his movements sharp yet smooth. The wind followed his every action, reinforcing each strike, each shift of weight, like an unseen force dancing in tandem with his body.


    Kaelis couldn¡¯t look away.


    He had seen flashy combat before¡ªin movies, in anime, in the exaggerated fights of video games. But this? This was real. And it wasn¡¯t just raw power¡ªit was skill.


    Gunthr pivoted, thrusting the spear forward, and a sharp burst of wind shot out from the tip, whistling through the air before dispersing harmlessly into the trees.


    Kaelis inhaled sharply. That was real. That just happened.


    Zekka, adjusting the hem of his tunic, chuckled. ¡°Seems like your father is refining his Kenda.¡± She glanced at Kaelis with an amused glint in her eyes. ¡°Hope he creates a skill that allows him to finally shut up when he¡¯s bragging.¡±


    Kaelis barely registered her words. His mind had latched onto one thing.


    Kenda.


    ¡®That¡¯s what this power is called¡­¡¯


    His thoughts churned. This wasn¡¯t just some natural phenomenon¡ªthis was something people could create. He had seen it with his own eyes. Gunthr had controlled it like it was part of him, bending it to his will.


    Kaelis¡¯ lips curled.


    ¡®If people can create their own Kenda techniques¡­!¡¯


    A deep, bubbling laugh built in his chest.


    ¡®Then I¡¯ll dominate this world! I¡¯ll create the most badass magic skills anyone has ever seen!¡¯


    His tiny, triumphant laugh echoed through the house¡ªonly for Zekka to pause, her gaze softening as she held him close.


    ¡°Haha, you like Kenda?¡± she murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, ¡°One day, I hope you¡¯re able to use it to survive in this world. I¡¯m actually thinking of enrolling you in the academy when you get a little older, the same one me and your father went to. And..where we met, haha.¡±


    Kaelis blinked.


    ¡®There¡¯s even an academy in this world? I hated school so much in my world I never liked going, but this is for a new purpose: my insane power I¡¯m gonna have.¡¯


    Zekka¡¯s arms tightened slightly, just for a moment. He felt the warmth of her embrace, the weight of her emotions pressing against him. There was something deep, something unspoken behind those words.


    He ignored it.


    His gaze flickered back outside.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Gunthr had moved on to a wooden sword, gripping it loosely as the wind coiled around his limbs. His breathing had steadied, his stance shifting seamlessly between offense and defense. Each swing was fluid, almost playful, yet precise.


    Kaelis noticed something else.


    Another drop of blood.


    Gunthr wiped his nose again, his grin unwavering.


    Kaelis also noticed Gunthr wincing, like something else was in pain.


    ¡®His head..? His body..? And he¡¯s enjoying this..?!¡¯


    He knew Gunthr was in pain somewhere else, but the smile never wavered from Gunthr¡¯s face.


    ¡®He¡¯s pushing himself. IS HE TRYING TO SHOW OFF THAT COOL MAGIC?! It¡¯s like he¡¯s daring me to come take it from him and dominate everything. It¡¯s like dangling food in front of a lion. Are there even lions in this world? What about snakes?¡¯


    He was enjoying this. The exhaustion, the struggle¡ªhe was grinning through it.


    Kaelis watched as Gunthr swung downward¡ªand the wind followed, carving a sharp current that blasted through the clearing. He spun on his heel, transitioning into a sweeping slash, the air howling around him in response.


    ¡®Yeah that¡¯s right. Watch your father, Kaelis! Watch how I wield this wind like a badass. Watch how precise I wield it. One day I¡¯ll teach you Kenda, and might even be stronger than me. If I keep training in front of you, you¡¯ll be begging me to spar with you.¡¯


    Then¡ªhe stopped.


    Gunthr wiped the sweat from his brow, then turned his head slightly toward the house. His gaze flickered toward Kaelis.


    And then¡ªhe smirked.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s how you wield Kenda,¡± he declared, tossing the sword over his shoulder with dramatic flair.


    Kaelis made a face of disgust.


    Gunthr turned back around, proud of himself. His eyes shimmered with satisfaction, his chest swelling with pure, dumb confidence.


    In his head, he was already thinking¡ª


    ¡®I look so cool in front of him now! He¡¯ll tell everyone his father¡¯s a true warrior! I did all of that flashy stuff to show off!¡¯


    Kaelis exhaled.


    ¡®Yep. He¡¯s trying to show off.¡¯


    Disgust curled in his gut.


    Gross.


    ¡­


    The air outside carried a weight to it, a warmth that settled deep in the skin, not just from the sun but from something else¡ªsomething unseen. Every breeze that passed through felt deliberate, almost rhythmic, like a breath exhaled from the world itself.


    Kaelis didn¡¯t fully understand it, but he could feel it.


    Zekka rocked gently in her chair, holding him against her chest, her fingers brushing absentmindedly through his hair. The steady motion, the warmth of her embrace¡ªit was comforting, even if his mind refused to settle. His eyes stayed open, staring at the world around them, at the strange, shifting colors of the grass, at the trees that moved as if they were listening to something he couldn¡¯t hear.


    ¡®It¡¯s like everything in this world reacts to one another..how big is it? Are there gods here? Giants? Spirits? Beasts? Beastkin people? War¡­?¡¯


    Gunthr stood by the porch, leaning against the wooden pillar with his arms crossed, his gaze distant. He wasn¡¯t looking at them, nor was he looking at anything in particular. Just the horizon, the endless stretch of sky where the sun was beginning to set. His expression was unreadable at first, quiet in a way that wasn¡¯t normal for him.


    Then, he exhaled, shaking his head slightly.


    ¡°This is real, huh¡­¡± His voice was low, almost to himself. ¡°We actually made it here.¡±


    Zekka glanced up at him, shifting slightly in the chair. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said softly.


    Gunthr let out a short breath of laughter, though there wasn¡¯t much humor in it. ¡°Never thought it¡¯d happen,¡± he muttered. ¡°I kept telling myself it would, that we¡¯d get out, that we¡¯d find something more.¡± He paused, tilting his head up toward the sky. ¡°But I don¡¯t think I ever really believed it.¡±


    Zekka didn¡¯t say anything right away. The chair creaked slightly as she continued to rock, the silence stretching between them.


    Gunthr finally looked at her, then at Kaelis. His jaw tensed for a moment before he spoke again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I knew what I wanted back then. Not really,¡± he admitted. ¡°Fighting was just¡­ what we did. It was all I knew. Every day, the same thing.¡± His grip tightened slightly against his arms. ¡°But when we talked about leaving, when we talked about having this, I told myself it was just another goal. Just another fight.¡±


    His voice was quieter now, like he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to keep going. But he did.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I ever knew how much I wanted it until now.¡±


    Zekka¡¯s fingers slowed against Kaelis¡¯ hair. Her gaze lingered on Gunthr, her expression soft, patient.


    Gunthr let out another breath, this one slower. ¡°A family. A home. That¡¯s all I ever wanted.¡±


    Kaelis didn¡¯t know why, but the air around them felt heavier now. Not in a bad way¡ªjust different. Like something deeper was being said, something that meant more than the words themselves.


    Gunthr stepped forward, reaching out with careful hands. Zekka shifted, passing Kaelis to him, and Gunthr lifted him up, holding him easily.


    Kaelis blinked as the light hit his father¡¯s face.


    For once, Gunthr wasn¡¯t grinning. There was no teasing remark, no dramatic flourish. Just quiet, steady eyes looking at him with something that Kaelis didn¡¯t quite have the words for.


    Gunthr¡¯s fingers trembled slightly. Just for a moment.


    And then¡ª


    A flicker.


    The warmth disappeared. The air turned sharp.


    The floor beneath him was rough. Cold. His cheek burned where it had struck the wood. The scent of alcohol was thick, choking. A breath¡ªheavy, ragged, and then¡ªa shadow towering over him. A hand raised, curled into a fist.


    Gunthr blinked.


    The memory shattered.


    Kaelis was still in his arms. The sky was still burning gold. The world was still whole.


    Gunthr exhaled sharply, his jaw clenching as he quickly wiped at his face.


    ¡®Too weak to do anything against that man..ran away plenty of times¡­looking for someone strong to kill my own father..but wouldn¡¯t get far. I will make sure Kaelis has a complete opposite childhood than me¡­he won¡¯t die. He won¡¯t be trapped in a loop of abuse and stuck in a cage like me..the more I love my son from here on out, the more I can even feel my own self growing up, living the childhood I always wanted. I¡¯m new at parenting..I¡¯ll do my best.¡¯


    Zekka tilting her head. ¡°Dear¡­are you crying?¡±


    Gunthr immediately straightened, clearing his throat loudly as he turned slightly away. ¡°What?! Haha! No! No. Something got in my eye.¡±


    Zekka hummed, shifting back into her chair. ¡°Right. If you need a hug¡­I¡¯m here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you..¡±


    Gunthr rolled his shoulders, exhaling before looking back at Kaelis. ¡°I can¡¯t wait for you to see it all, kid. The whole damn world. You¡¯re gonna love it.¡±


    Zekka gave him a knowing look. ¡°Honey.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t run off with our son¡ª.¡±


    KRACK-THOOM!


    Kaelis barely had time to process what was happening before the world blurred around him, Gunthr tucking him securely under one arm as he took off across the yard, already mounting his horse in one swift motion.


    Zekka sighed, rubbing her temple as the wind roared in his wake. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Gunthr turned back briefly, grinning like a madman. ¡°Don¡¯t wait up!¡±


    And then they were gone, the sound of hooves pounding against the dirt, the rush of wind whipping past them as the capital stretched out in the distance.


    Kaelis wasn¡¯t sure what to think.


    The wind still felt different.


    The world still felt alive.


    And his father was completely insane.


    The rhythmic pounding of hooves against the dirt filled the air as Gunthr¡¯s horse tore through the open fields, wind rushing past them in powerful currents. The sky stretched wide, a deep orange glow settling on the horizon, casting long shadows across the land. Kaelis, held securely in Gunthr¡¯s arm, was absolutely losing his mind.


    ¡®This lunatic! This absolute madman!¡¯


    Wind howled around them, sweeping through Gunthr¡¯s cloak and tousling Kaelis¡¯ hair wildly, the baby barely able to move in his father¡¯s tight grip. He could feel the constant shifts in the air, unnatural but smooth, subtle shifts of pressure that weren¡¯t just the wind itself¡ªhis father was using something to control it.


    Gunthr grinned as he leaned slightly forward, keeping a steady balance on the horse, his hand glowing faintly as the wind adjusted around them. ¡°See that, son?¡± he called over the rushing air. ¡°That¡¯s how you ride. Fast and free, just like the great warriors of old! You¡¯ll understand when you get bigger!¡±


    ¡°OH I understand! I understand plenty! Put me down!¡±


    Unfortunately, all Gunthr heard was a series of garbled baby noises, Kaelis¡¯ face scrunched up in pure, unfiltered betrayal.


    Gunthr glanced down at him, then immediately choked on a laugh. ¡°By the gods, you¡¯re adorable.¡±


    Kaelis kicked weakly in frustration, arms barely able to move as he let out another angry, frantic baby cry, his mind cursing Gunthr in every way possible. ¡°You lunatic! I¡¯m gonna fall! This is kidnapping! Slow down!¡±


    Gunthr let out a loud laugh, shifting Kaelis slightly so he could see ahead. ¡°Calm down, calm down! You¡¯re safe with me! Look, look! This is the world, son! And we¡¯ve got company.¡±


    Kaelis, still fuming, turned his head slightly¡ªonly for his eyes to widen.


    ¡®Whoa¡­¡¯


    The fields they were passing through weren¡¯t empty. Strange creatures lurked in the distance, some half-hidden in the tall grass, others prowling the edges of the tree line.


    A hulking three-eyed stag stood atop a hill, its antlers shimmering with silver-lined veins, its gaze locked onto them. Further ahead, a massive serpent-like beast with jagged, crystalline scales slithered near the riverbanks, its body refracting the fading sunlight like a prism, flickering in and out of sight. Above them, a dark-winged vulture with an elongated, almost human-like face circled high in the sky, its movements unnatural, its shadow stretching long against the land.


    Kaelis swallowed. ¡®This world really is alive¡­with weird looking corrupted versions of the animals from my old world..but these animals look way more flashy, and even better..¡¯


    Gunthr, however, didn¡¯t seem the least bit concerned. ¡°See that one?¡± he said, pointing toward a low-crawling beast with six legs and obsidian-coated fur, its long tongue flicking out toward the air as it followed their movement from the distance. ¡°That¡¯s a Shadex Hound. Nasty little thing, but if you don¡¯t smell like rotting flesh, they won¡¯t come after you.¡±


    ¡®Oh, how reassuring, Father.¡¯


    Kaelis let out another frustrated wail, flailing as best he could, which only made Gunthr even more amused.


    ¡°Calm down, calm down! You¡¯re fine!¡± Gunthr chuckled, glancing down again at Kaelis, who was still glaring at him like he was the worst thing to ever happen to existence. His little face was twisted in frustration, his tiny hands clenched into weak, angry fists, and Gunthr swore he¡¯d never seen something so precious in his life.


    Gunthr¡¯s grin widened as a thought came to him, and he lowered his voice, soft and encouraging. ¡°Hey, can you say da-da?¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ eyes twitched.


    ¡®No way he just asked me that..¡¯


    Then, with every ounce of his soul, he snapped back, ¡°Fuck off! I¡¯ll be crushed at this rate!¡±


    But out of his mouth came baby once noises again.


    Gunthr nearly fell off the horse.


    He stared at Kaelis in complete, wide-eyed shock, his mouth hanging open as his brain refused to process what just happened.


    Of course, to his ears, Kaelis had simply let out a normal baby babble. But to Kaelis himself, it had been a desperate, completely justified act of defiance.


    Gunthr, utterly oblivious, gasped dramatically. ¡°Oh, that was amazing!¡± He pressed Kaelis against his chest, swaying slightly with joy. ¡°I think you almost said something! Zekka¡¯s gonna love this!¡±


    Kaelis screamed internally.


    He was trapped. He was doomed. And worst of all¡ªhis own father was insane.


    Before he could even try to plan a new method of survival, the wind around them suddenly shifted.


    It was fast¡ªtoo fast. A presence moved, something unnatural bending the very air around them.


    And then¡ª


    Zekka appeared in front of them in an instant.


    Gunthr yelped. The horse skidded to a stop, nearly throwing both of them off as it reared slightly, hooves slamming into the ground.


    Zekka stood there, utterly unbothered, a peaceful smile on her face, hands folded neatly in front of her.


    Gunthr, who had faced war, bloodshed, and near-death countless times, visibly tensed.


    ¡°Gunthr,¡± Zekka said sweetly. ¡°Where exactly do you think you¡¯re taking our son?¡±


    Gunthr swallowed, still gripping Kaelis as he cleared his throat. ¡°Zekka, love, darling, radiant star of my life¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Gunthr straightened, shifting Kaelis slightly in his arms as if to shield himself with his child. ¡°Now, before you get mad¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not mad,¡± Zekka said, stepping forward, the warmth in her voice unchanging. ¡°Just curious.¡±


    Gunthr¡¯s grip on the reins tightened. ¡°Well, I just thought¡ªKaelis should, you know, see the capital, get a feel for the world! Meet the others!¡± He grinned, though there was a distinct nervousness behind it.


    Zekka tilted her head slightly, still smiling. ¡°Gunthr. He is a baby.¡±


    Gunthr hesitated. ¡°Technically, yes.¡±


    Zekka sighed, reaching forward to gently brush Kaelis¡¯ hair back. ¡°He¡¯s too young for this. You know that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Gunthr hesitated again. ¡°¡­Technically, yes.¡±


    Kaelis, still nestled in his father¡¯s grip, stared at his mother like she was his savior.


    ¡®Please, Mother. End this madness! Smite him down!¡¯


    Zekka¡¯s fingers lingered for a moment before she pulled back.


    She let out a long breath, closing her eyes briefly before nodding to herself. ¡°I suppose¡­ a short trip wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    Gunthr visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping slightly. ¡°See? That¡¯s the spirit!¡±


    Zekka raised a single finger. ¡°But,¡± she said, ¡°the capital is busy today. We won¡¯t stay long.¡±


    Gunthr held a hand to his chest in mock offense. ¡°Zekka, love, would I ever let anything happen to our child?¡±


    Kaelis made a pointedly loud baby noise.


    ¡®WHAT?! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA SAVE ME OR SOMETHING!¡¯


    Zekka¡¯s expression remained the same, her serene smile unwavering. ¡°You mean the child you just took on a high-speed horse ride through monster territory?¡± She replied to Gunthr.


    Gunthr cleared his throat again. ¡°¡­Right.¡±


    Zekka gently tapped his shoulder before turning back toward the path. ¡°Let¡¯s go, dear.¡±


    Gunthr exhaled dramatically before adjusting his grip on Kaelis, who was still mentally cursing him. ¡°Guess that¡¯s a yes, then.¡±


    And with that, the three of them rode toward the capital together.


    ¡­


    (Othvendell capital)


    The scent of roasted meat and sweet spice drifted through the air as Gunthr guided the horse through the towering gates of Othvendell. The city stretched wide beyond the entrance, its wooden walls reinforced with thick stone at the base, standing tall like ancient sentinels guarding the bustling heart of the kingdom. The moment they passed through, the sheer energy of the capital struck Kaelis all at once.


    It was overwhelming.


    Noise. So much noise.


    The chatter of merchants bartering, the laughter of children darting between the crowd, the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith¡¯s hammer against steel, the distant crackling of magic being cast in the air¡ªit all clashed and blended into an unrelenting wave of sound.


    Gunthr, of course, was grinning ear to ear, his free hand gesturing wildly as he guided the horse further into the chaos. ¡°Welcome to Othvendell, Kaelis! The heart of the kingdom, the great trade city, and the place where all the best trouble starts!¡±


    Kaelis barely registered his father¡¯s excitement, his eyes darting in every direction as he tried to take in the sheer vastness of it all. The roads were packed with carts carrying wares from distant lands, stalls lined every street corner, displaying everything from vibrant fruits that pulsed faintly with bioluminescence to thick, ornately carved tomes bound in metal clasps.


    Kaelis made sure to observe everything. Being in a new world meant to observe his surroundings, not just take them with a grain of salt; he had to know his location, the power, the laws, the system, the beasts and mythic stuff, everything.


    The air smelled like a strange mixture of spices, baked goods, and something smoky that reminded Kaelis of burning wood. He spotted a man leaning over a massive pot, stirring a thick, bubbling stew that glowed a deep blue as if infused with magic. Another stall sold candied roots that floated slightly above their platters, bobbing up and down as if teasing passersby.


    Magic/Kenda was everywhere.


    To his right, a burly man with a thick gray beard lifted a barrel with one hand, his fingers glowing faintly with a deep orange light. Fire Kenda. Not flames exactly, but heat so intense the air around his arm shimmered, strengthening his grip as he tossed the barrel onto a cart with ease.


    ¡®Heat..I can even feel it from here¡­¡¯


    Further ahead, a woman flicked her wrist, guiding a thin stream of water through the air like a serpent, weaving it delicately into a jug without spilling a drop.


    ¡°Ah! Finally got it right!¡± She exclaimed with her hands on her hips, expressing a smile like she just earned a hundred gold coins.


    Next to her, a young boy ran barefoot through the crowd, his steps unnaturally light, small gusts of wind carrying him forward faster than his legs alone could manage.


    ¡°Haha! I¡¯m fast!¡±


    And his parents chased him, ¡°Get back here! You¡¯re gonna make a mess!¡±


    ¡°Huh?! I can¡¯t hear ya!¡­I definitely can hear you.¡±


    Everywhere Kaelis looked, Kenda was not just used¡ªit was ingrained into daily life.


    ¡®So more than one person can have the same affinity?¡¯


    The market pulsed with life, a shifting sea of people moving between stalls, exchanging goods, stories, and favors. The scent of roasted meat and fragrant spices blended with the occasional whiff of parchment, polished leather, and something floral¡ªperhaps Amber Glade perfume, an expensive luxury only found in Othvendell.


    ¡®It¡¯s alive here¡­so much happening, so much talking, smells, feelings¡­¡¯ Kaelis thought.


    Gunthr led the horse at a slow pace, eyes darting everywhere like a child who had been let loose in a festival. ¡°Gods, I haven¡¯t been here in years,¡± he muttered, grinning wide. ¡°Smell that, Kaelis? That¡¯s the scent of adventure! And intense spending.¡±


    This is a lot.


    Kaelis, of course, did not respond in words, but the sheer amount of motion, sound, and color bombarding his senses was enough to keep him wide-eyed.


    ¡°First time seeing a real trade hub, huh, little one? Well obviously, what am I even asking?¡± Gunthr chuckled, adjusting his grip on the reins. ¡°But you won¡¯t find a place like this anywhere else in Kalhalla. Each kingdom in this continent and the hundreds of continue our there are vastly different from the next. Each with their own laws and people, factions, and more.¡±


    Zekka, seated behind him, was far less swept up in the moment, her fingers drumming lightly against Gunthr¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Just don¡¯t get carried away. I don¡¯t want to have to haggle us out of trouble again.¡±


    ¡°Trouble?¡± Gunthr scoffed. ¡°This is Othvendell, love. It¡¯s the safest place in the world.¡±


    ¡®Zekka has been worried and anxious for the last few days. Is this the after-effects of having a child that I don¡¯t know about? She spent months stressed out, and now she¡¯s finally got what she¡ªwe wanted, I thought she¡¯d be happier, like me.¡¯


    Just as he thought this, a loud argument broke out to their left.


    ¡°I swear on my ancestors, you cheating pile of filth, this is NOT what we agreed on!¡±


    A burly woman with twin axes strapped to her back pointed an accusatory finger at a merchant, who was leaning over his wares with an amused smirk.


    The merchant¡ªan older man with a neatly trimmed beard¡ªsighed, raising his hands in mock surrender. ¡°My dear warrior, I promised you a blade that never dulls. And what do you have? A blade that never dulls. Don¡¯t like it, go find someone else! I¡¯m not the only one who deals with weapons around here!¡±


    The woman slammed her fist onto the table, rattling an assortment of goods, including a stack of finely wrapped leather pouches. ¡°You never said anything about it being cursed! The damn thing whispers when I hold it!¡±


    A passing adventurer, a tall elf with a bow slung across her back, snorted. ¡°Sounds like a fair trade to me.¡±


    ¡®Is that AN ELF?!¡¯ Kaelis thought in shock. ¡®First different race outside of a human and a few mystic animals I¡¯ve seen.¡¯


    The burly woman shouted, ¡°Fair?! It won¡¯t shut up! It keeps calling me ¡®Master of Insane Lust!¡¯ and giving me advice I didn¡¯t ask for! I don¡¯t need advice on finding a husband!¡±


    The merchant stroked his beard. ¡°Hmm. Sounds useful.¡±


    ¡°Useful?! It started chanting during a contract! Nearly got me killed!¡±


    The elf smirked. ¡°So? Sell it to a necromancer.¡±


    ¡®This place is insane..but I love it! Why are there no guards here? I don¡¯t see any sigils, kingdom stuff that¡¯s usually what capitals have.¡¯ Kaelis observed in his head.


    Gunthr laughed heartily at the exchange. ¡°Ah, now that is a proper Othvendell argument.¡±


    Zekka sighed.


    ¡®Why do I feel so anxious?! I hate this feeling¡­it¡¯s like I¡¯m acting paranoid. I need to clear my head, enjoy this moment with my husband and son. I don¡¯t want to ruin it for them.¡¯ Zekka¡¯s thoughts bombarded her emotions, but she hid them for now, focusing on Kaelis.


    They continued forward, weaving past a gathering of children playing near a fountain. Kaelis, despite himself, found his gaze lingering on them.


    ¡°Oi! You can¡¯t be the hero and the mage! That¡¯s cheating!¡±


    A young boy with a missing tooth shoved another child lightly. The accused¡ªa lanky kid with a wild mess of curls¡ªcrossed his arms. ¡°I casted the spell, so I win! That¡¯s how it works!¡±


    A third child, a small girl clutching a wooden toy sword, groaned. ¡°It wasn¡¯t even a real spell! You just shouted ¡®Firebolt¡¯ and threw dirt at me!¡±


    The curly-haired boy lifted his chin. ¡°And you still flinched! So it worked!¡±


    Kaelis blinked.


    ¡®There was a kid using real Kenda earlier, so I guess even children can wield it as well. Though his winds weren¡¯t as strong as my fathers. I could tell they aren¡¯t as refined.¡¯


    The girl ended up throwing the toy sword at the boy with the curly hair.


    Further ahead, a town crier stood atop a wooden crate, ringing a small brass bell. ¡°Hear ye, hear ye! Word from the north!¡±


    ¡®A town crier? I¡¯ve seen those in so many movies¡­they usually shout out a bunch of news. That could help me as well, I need more insight on this place. And as it seems right now, I could possibly use this place as a home base. Like my own hub to return to if I need to re-up for anything. It¡¯s damn near perfect! I¡¯m already moving up in the world!¡¯


    A few heads turned, some pausing in their business to listen.


    ¡°The frozen roads to Voldhen have finally thawed! Caravans heading north will find safe passage, though bandit activity has increased along the routes! The Council of Ledgers warns all traders to hire proper escorts!¡±


    Gunthr scoffed. ¡°Ah, bandits. Ever the opportunists.¡±


    ¡®Council of Ledgers? Who are they?¡¯ Kaelis wondered in his tiny mind. ¡®Are they like the leaders?¡¯


    ¡°Another report from the south! Skirmishes between Fjalrik and Sensklem continue! Lords on both sides call for warriors, promising high pay for skilled swordsmen!¡±


    A gruff-looking man, clad in worn leather and carrying a broad axe on his back, turned to his companion¡ªa slender woman wrapped in deep violet cloaks. ¡°Looks like the highland lords in the next kingdom over are getting desperate. How much do you reckon they¡¯ll pay?¡±


    The woman shrugged, adjusting a pouch of throwing knives at her belt. ¡°Depends. If they¡¯re hiring mercs, we might make a fortune. But if they¡¯re calling for Hunters¡­¡± She trailed off, shaking her head.


    Kaelis took note of this.


    ¡®Hunters¡­mercs¡­.Adventurers..¡¯


    Another crier stepped up onto a different platform, this one holding a scroll sealed in red wax. ¡°Bounties have been updated! The Black Ledger is open!¡±


    ¡®The Black Ledger¡­.could that be like some quest board or something? A bounty board? That''s super boring. Wait! I can use that too, to make a name for myself! I¡¯m such a genius.¡¯


    This caused a much greater stir. A few cloaked figures turned sharply at the announcement, and a group of heavily armed warriors moved toward the crier.


    ¡°Notable contracts include: The rogue mage Merrik the Hollowed Saint, wanted for theft of relics! Last seen near the ruins of Yttrhallen! A purse of five hundred ledger stones awaits his captor¡ªdead or alive!¡±


    Gunthr muttered under his breath, ¡°Pricey for a thief. He must¡¯ve stolen something exotic.¡±


    The crier continued. ¡°A thousand gold for the traitor Rhovano Ice-Blood, guilty of assassinating his own lord in the kingdom of Vjosgarda! Their king declares if anyone has the weapon and location of him, take him out immediately!¡±


    A murmur spread through the crowd. ¡°Damn,¡± someone muttered. ¡°I thought Rhovano was dead.¡±


    ¡°Apparently not,¡± another replied. ¡°Question is, do I risk hunting him?¡±


    Kaelis¡¯ mind worked quickly.


    ¡®So Adventurers were those who took contracts to explore, to retrieve, to find things. But Hunters¡­they hunt to kill.¡¯


    They were different. They hunted people. Beasts. Monsters. Whatever needed to be killed.


    Gunthr glanced down at Kaelis, smirking. ¡°You seeing all this, kid?! This is how the world works. Some folks trade, some folks explore, and some folks¡ª¡± He gestured toward the gathering of Hunters. ¡°Well, some folks make a living by chasing dea¡ªI mean action! Yeah, action.¡±


    Zekka sighed. ¡°Please don¡¯t give our son any ideas.¡±


    Gunthr grinned. ¡°What? He¡¯s gotta learn eventually!¡±


    ¡®That¡¯s what I don¡¯t want, but it¡¯s necessary if he¡¯s to survive. I think I just need rest.¡¯ Zekka thought.


    Gunthr chuckled as he pulled the horse to a slower pace. ¡°See, son? This is how you live! Othvendell never slows down.¡±


    As they continued forward, weaving through the ever-busy capital, Kaelis noticed a group of children chasing something. At first, he thought it was a bird, but when he focused, he realized it was something else entirely.


    A small, bright-blue creature darted between them, its translucent wings fluttering, leaving behind faint streaks of light in the air. The kids laughed and reached out, trying to catch it, but it was too quick, weaving between their hands like mist.


    Gunthr chuckled. ¡°Ah, a Flicker Sprite. Fast little things. Good luck catching one, though. I think you¡¯d get along with a pet, Kaelis!¡±


    Kaelis barely heard him. His mind was racing.


    ¡®I love this place..¡¯


    This world wasn¡¯t just different. It was alive in a way he had never known.


    As they kept moving through the streets, Zekka remained quiet, her hands resting lightly on Gunthr¡¯s waist as she sat behind him. Her gaze wasn¡¯t on the market, nor on Kaelis. She was watching Gunthr.


    He was happy.


    That much was obvious. He was speaking freely, pointing things out, grinning like a fool. It had been a long time since she had seen him like this¡ªexcited, unburdened, talking about the city with the same reckless joy he had when they were younger.


    She wanted to be happy too. But something lingered in the back of her mind.


    ¡®What happens if we keep letting Kaelis go out like this?¡¯


    The world wasn¡¯t safe. It never had been. She and Gunthr both knew that better than anyone.


    Gunthr acted as though none of that existed. As though Kaelis would be free, would grow strong, would carve his own path.


    ¡®But what if he wasn¡¯t strong enough?¡¯


    ¡®What if something happened?¡¯


    She looked down at Kaelis, at the way his little hands curled slightly, his eyes darting everywhere, soaking in everything.


    She sighed, shaking the thought away.


    ¡®Again¡­not today. Not right now..please be happy for them, Zekka. Clear your head. You love your husband and son, everything is perfect.¡¯


    She looked at Gunthr, thinking even more, ¡®It was a huge toll on Gunthr..when we couldn¡¯t have children. I feared he¡ª.¡¯


    ¡ªGunthr suddenly pulled the horse to a slow stop, his expression shifting slightly. ¡°Huh.¡±


    Kaelis followed his gaze¡ªand noticed something different.


    A gathering. A large one.


    People had formed a semi-circle around a single figure standing near the center of the plaza. The figure was tall, draped in flowing white robes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, almost like liquid silk. Two curved white horns jutted from their forehead, smooth and polished like marble.


    Their eyes glowed¡ªa soft, golden hue, radiant yet eerie. Their skin pale with small golden runes on their cheek and hand.


    And yet, their expression was tranquil. Warm. Inviting.


    Kaelis felt something shift in the air.


    People around them murmured in awe. ¡°An Apostle,¡± someone whispered. ¡°A true servant of the heavens¡­¡±


    Gunthr exhaled through his nose, adjusting his grip on the reins. ¡°Whoa..they¡¯re actually here¡­Didn¡¯t expect to see one of them today..¡±


    Zekka¡¯s fingers unconsciously tightened against her cloak.


    The Apostle turned slightly, their golden eyes sweeping across the crowd, their lips still curved in that same peaceful smile.


    Kaelis felt something strange in his chest.


    ¡®What the hell is that thing? It looks human..but I¡¯m not really getting that vibe. That thing is too peaceful. Too radiant¡­it¡¯s gross to me. And people are flocking around it. I get a weird feeling looking at this..Apostle..I can¡¯t put my horrid baby fingers on it.¡¯


    The air in the plaza felt different now. It wasn¡¯t just the hum of conversation or the shifting of the crowd¡ªit was something deeper, something unseen. The moment the Apostle had arrived, it was as if the very city itself had paused, its pulse slowing, waiting, listening.


    Kaelis could feel it.


    The woman at the center of it all stood with an aura of absolute serenity. She was tall, her posture graceful but not delicate¡ªthere was strength in the way she held herself, the way she moved, like the weight of the world meant nothing to her.


    Her robes were impossibly white, woven from some kind of silken fabric that shimmered like moonlight caught on water. Thin, golden patterns ran along the edges, forming intricate, celestial designs that seemed to shift slightly in the light, never quite the same when looked at again. A long mantle flowed behind her, embroidered with symbols too ancient to recognize, yet they carried meaning¡ªKaelis could feel it, even if he didn¡¯t understand why.


    Two curved white horns adorned her forehead, smooth as polished ivory, faintly glowing at the tips. They weren¡¯t large or grotesque, but they added to her presence, marking her as something beyond the ordinary. Upon her hands were rings¡ªthin, delicate bands of gold, each inscribed with something too small for Kaelis to read, yet they pulsed lightly whenever she lifted them.


    And then there were her eyes.


    Soft, golden, and endlessly deep. They radiate warmth, yet there was something else in them. Something Kaelis couldn¡¯t name. Her hair, really long and literally glowing with a white light.


    ¡®An Apostle..what do they do?¡¯


    The Apostle did not take her eyes off of Kaelis.