Linkwood is in an isolated area and is home to just over 50 people, located in the Aborgon Forest. It is surrounded by thousands of acres of forest with trees that are all intertwined like a giant spider web. The number of settlements inside this forest could be counted on one's fingers. Furthermore, all the other settlements are just like Linkwood spanning less than 20 acres and have no more than 100 residents. It's not that those settlements do not want to increase their population, but the limited resources and lack of open fields to plant food severely limited the population of these settlements. Thus, much of the day is spent tending their crops and the few livestock they have. Most of the crops would be used as food, while the rest is transported to a small city called Teria, situated on the border of the Aborgon forest.
Although it is usually safe, there a few wild beasts that break through the web of trees into the village. Anyone with a bit of talent and combat power would easily be able to fight them off. However, most the villagers did not have any magic talent, and fists alone are simply not enough. Only Larson and the old man have any chance of fighting those beasts off to protect the villagers. Everyone with such talent would be given a Cosmic Ring to help them develop their powers. Each of these rings help the owner to channel their powers and make it easier for one to control and use their powers. What makes those rings truly unique however, is their ability to communicate with the user mentally. Bit like a built-in supercomputer.
In the past 10 years, the area around Linkwood had been peaceful. Only three incidents involving wild beasts occurred during this time period. All three were quickly subdued, and thus no one died from beast attacks in the last decade.
In the center of the settlement was a small cottage, surrounded by blooming purple flowers. A rather unusual sight for a place that barely grows enough food each year to survive. Inside, two men were conversing.
"It's time," said the elder of the two.
"Shall I go bring the boy?"
"Yes Larson, go ahead. Make sure Warren gets here safely."
Larson gently opened the door of the cottage and stepped outside.
"Don't die on me before I get back old man."
The old man chuckled.
"Don't worry, I won't."
Larson shook his head and closed the door.
Larson was a well built and tall man, standing 182 cm (6ft) tall. He was abandoned by his parents, before the old man took him in and took care of him as if he were his own child. From that day on, Larson decided that he would never leave his side. Of course, one may wonder why did he never call the old man by his name? The simple answer is he prefers to keep a low profile. Rumor was that he was once the personal guard of a powerful king, but no one knows for sure. This small tract of land was given to him about 50 years ago, and everyone who meets him would think that he was nothing but a harmless go happy old man. But Larson knew better. He had seen the old man fight during the three isolated incidents where beasts broke into the village. Each time, the beasts were killed in less than a second; Larson didn't even have time to process what happened.
Larson quickly walked south the edge of the forest, glancing into the depths of the undergrowth every few seconds. After about 5 minutes, he saw a small mud hut. Larson breathed a sigh of relief. Another quiet day.
As he got within 50 meters of the hut, he suddenly stopped.
"Something's not right." He broke into a run and mentally yelled out.
"Engage combat mode!"
*Engaging combat mode: releasing power restrictions.*
He burst through the door and saw a sight he would never forget.
The room was filled with blood, and the bed, table, and chairs were all smashed to pieces. In one corner humanoid beast with long fangs and thick black fur was slashing its claws at a man and woman in the corner of the hut. The two of them were beyond recognition, their bodies were cut in all directions. Yet, they held on to their lives, shielding something from the beast's furious, yet silent attacks.
The beast slashed down at the man, and unable to hold on any longer, he slidto the ground, limp.
The boy!
Larson immediately realized who they were trying to protect.
*Innate skill activated: remote shielding.*
A large ice shield materialized in front of the woman and child.
BANG!
The beast slammed into the shield and bounced back, unable to damage it at all.
It turned towards the newcomer and lunged.
CRACK. Just as it was about to bite down on Larson's, it felt its insides rupture, and fell lifeless on the floor.
"Mom, are you and dad okay?" The boy asked nervously.
She let go of the boy and willed herself to turn towards their savior. By this time, she was knocking on death's door and no longer felt any pain despite her wounds.
"Thank you."
With that, she left, dreaming of another world.
When Warren felt his mother's body go limp, he stayed there, frozen. It felt as if the world had collapsed on him. Just a few minutes ago, he was happily eating a light meal with his parents, the next, he had lost everything. He was so shell-shocked that he didn't even know how to react when he saw his parent's bodies in front of him. The last thing he remembered before fainting was a large man carrying him out of the house, with a concerned look on his face. Finally, he shut down as the shock he received was too much for a 5-year-old to handle.