The rain pattered against the leaves of the ancient forest surrounding the Southern Kingdom of Etri, the gloomy sky mirroring the somber mood that had settled over the land. The trees stood tall and proud, their branches weaving together to form a canopy that shielded the ground from the heaviest drops. It was a tranquil scene, one that belied the strange disturbance that echoed from within the sacred cave, a disturbance that had drawn the attention of the village elders.
Thirteen cloaked figures made their way through the saturated underbrush, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps blending with the whispers of the rain. Their curiosity grew with each step, their eyes narrowing as the cries grew clearer. As they approached the cave's entrance, the elders heard something that seemed out of place in the quiet sanctity of nature: the muffled sobs of a child. The sound grew more distinct, tugging at their hearts and compelling them to investigate further.
Entering the cave, they found a boy of no more than ten years old, sprawled on a damp stone, his eyes tightly shut as if trying to ward off a nightmare. His grip on a crimson katana was so fierce that the veins in his tiny hands bulged. The weapon's glow was the only source of light, casting eerie shadows on the cavern walls and illuminating the path of tears on his cheeks. The sight was so incongruous with the peaceful setting that the men could not help but feel a tremor of unease.
The elders approached cautiously, their robes whispering against the stone floor. The boy's cries grew louder as if in response to their intrusion, yet he remained asleep, lost in his distress. The largest of them, a man named Mayr, stepped forward, his burly arms reaching out to comfort the child. With surprising tenderness, he lifted the sobbing figure into his embrace. The moment the sword was released, a sudden jolt of energy surged through the air, causing the other elders to stumble back in shock.
The crimson katana lay there, pulsating with an unnatural aura, its blade seeming to hum with a mournful tune that resonated with the heartbeat of the mountain itself. The elders stared at it in horror, knowing they had stumbled upon something far beyond their understanding. The boy, now cradled in Mayr's arms, stirred. His eyes snapped open, revealing irises the color of a stormy sky—a stark contrast to the serene environment of the cave.
6 Years later...
In the heart of the village of Eltri, the air had the unmistakable buzz of women's voices. Their laughter and chatter, usually a warm embrace to the ears, today pierced the hot afternoon with the sharpness of shattering glass. Their bare feet slapped the sun-scorched cobblestone streets in a playful dance of accusation. Dori, the village's favorite troublemaker, weaved through the narrow alleys with the agility of a rabbit evading a fox's snare. His heart hammered in his chest, echoing the rhythm of their pursuit.
The chase began when the women noticed their panties being stolen. Colorful pieces of fabric, once neatly attached to clotheslines, now adorned the village in a crazy pattern. Underwear flew from rooftops and tree branches like a perverted celebration of the most intimate of garments. The culprit was obvious and the only proof needed was Dori's mischievous grin. The villagers' amusement quickly turned to anger as sticks were raised in the air. They were gathered in a crowd, their eyes shining with a mixture of anger and playful intent.
Dori's bare feet slapped against the cobblestone as he darted through the maze-like streets of Eltri. His heart hammered in his chest, echoing the beat of a war drum. He had done this before, but today's escapade was different. The women weren't just angry; they were hungry for revenge. Each giggle and shout grew louder, the sound of their pursuit reverberating through the narrow alleys. The sun cast long, sharp shadows that danced along the ground with every twist and turn he made. Sweat dripped from his forehead, stinging his eyes and leaving a salty trail down his cheeks.
Above him, a pair of red lace panties flapped in the breeze, snatched from his hand and now acting as a bizarre banner for his flight. The fabric clung to his head, obscuring his vision but not his determination. The women's cries grew closer, their footsteps pounding the earth like the hooves of a stampede. "Catch that little bastard!" they yelled, their voices a cacophony of rage and embarrassment. He could feel their breath on his neck, their anger a palpable force that propelled him faster.
As Dori ran, her thoughts raced with each other. His mind turned to Revy, the only friend he'd ever had, even family. With a name like "Reviy Gray" she had always felt that she was destined for something more than the ordinary life of Eltri. Their friendship was forged in the fire of shared loneliness and curiosity about the world beyond the village's borders. The cave where Revy lived was her sanctuary; It was a place where the wind blowing through the stalactites sang the song of secrets and adventures.
The red lace panties fluttered around his face like a warrior's battle flag as he sprinted through the village. The absurdity of his situation brought a fleeting smile to his lips, which was quickly chased away by the fear of what awaited him if he were caught. The fabric clung to his sweaty forehead, leaving a sticky imprint of his folly. The shouts of the angry villagers grew closer, their words sharper than the stones thrown in his direction. "Thief!" they screamed, their accusations bouncing off the ancient buildings.
Dori's legs burned with the effort, but he knew he couldn't give up. He had to get to the cave, to Revy. The cave was his sanctuary, a place where he felt truly understood. He had always felt a kinship with Revy, despite the whispers of his strange nature. The villagers had shunned them both for their differences, but in the darkness of the cavern, they had found a friendship that transcended the judgmental gazes of Eltri.
As he approached the cave's mouth, the shadows grew long and cold. The women's cries grew faint, but he knew they wouldn't give up easily. The cave was their only hope. He sprinted towards the yawning darkness, the red lace panties trailing behind him like a taunting scarlet ribbon. The ground was uneven and littered with rocks, but Dori's bare feet had learned to dance over the harsh terrain with a grace that belied his desperation.
Entering the cave, the coolness of the earth greeted him like a lover's embrace. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and the faint metallic tang of minerals. In the dim light, he could see Revy standing in the center, her red katana slicing through the air in a mesmerizing ballet of silent, deadly intent. Her eyes were closed, as if lost in a world of her own, her movements fluid and precise. It was a sight that usually made Dori's heart swell with pride and admiration. But today, fear had the upper hand.