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Chapter 11 - The voice within

As Jade sat in quiet meditation in his room, seeking inner peace and clarity, a sudden and unexpected voice resounded in his mind. "Young one," the voice boomed with a strength that sent shivers down Jade's spine, its power and authority impossible to ignore. Startled and taken aback, Jade's eyes flew open as he searched his surroundings for the source of the mysterious voice.

For a moment, the room seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, the air thick with an unspoken presence that seemed to linger just beyond Jade's reach. The voice echoed in his mind, its words both commanding and enigmatic, leaving Jade feeling both awed and apprehensive at the same time.

As quickly as it had appeared, the voice vanished, leaving Jade standing in the silence of his room, his heart still racing with the remnants of its power. Confusion clouded his thoughts as he tried to make sense of what had just transpired, the memory of the voice lingering like a whisper on the edge of his consciousness.

With a deep breath, Jade shook off the remnants of fear and uncertainty, determined to focus on the present moment. Rising from his meditation position, he pushed aside the lingering unease and resolved to continue his training with renewed determination and purpose.

As Jade moved through his daily routine, the memory of the mysterious voice lingered in the back of his mind, a subtle reminder of the unknown forces that lurked beyond the realm of his understanding.

Jade rushed outside his room, his eyes scanning the bustling activity around him. The household was alive with energy as people went about their daily tasks, each person engrossed in their own duties and responsibilities.

As Jade navigated through the crowd, he searched for his father, a sense of unease gnawing at his gut. Questions swirled in his mind, spurred on by the mysterious voice that had interrupted his meditation. Where had his father gone? Why had he left without a word?

Finally, Jade approached a group of servants who were gathered near the edge of the mansion, their voices hushed in conversation. With a sense of foreboding, he inquired about his father's whereabouts, only to be met with somber expressions and hesitant glances.

One of the guard stepped forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of sympathy and concern. "Your father has gone hunting," he explained, his voice tinged with a note of caution. "He left at first light, determined to track down a fierce beast that has been threatening our village."

Jade's heart sank at the news, a surge of worry coursing through his veins. His father, a skilled hunter and protector of the village, had embarked on a dangerous quest without so much as a word of warning. Determination flared in Jade's eyes as he made a silent vow to find his father and assist him in any way he could.

Without hesitation, Jade set off towards the dense forest that surrounded the village, his mind focused on the task ahead. The mysterious voice that had spoken to him seemed to echo in his ears, urging him forward on a path that was fraught with danger and uncertainty.

As he ventured deeper into the shadows of the forest, Jade's senses sharpened, his instincts guiding him towards his father's trail. With each step, he felt a growing sense of purpose and resolve, knowing that the hunt for the fierce beast would test not only his skills as a warrior but also the strength of his bond with his father.

As Jade ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, his footsteps guided by determination and concern for his father, he finally caught sight of a gathering of hunters in the distance. Pushing forward with renewed urgency, he soon found himself standing in the center of the forest, surrounded by a group of men pulling a cart wheel that bore the weight of a large, vanquished beast.

Relief flooded through Jade as he spotted his father among the hunters, his strong presence a beacon of reassurance in the midst of the wilderness. Emotions welled up inside him, a mix of worry and gratitude for his father's safety and success in hunting down the creature that had been threatening their village.

"Dad, why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" Jade's voice trembled with a hint of emotion as he approached his father, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. The sense of unease that had gripped him earlier now gave way to a flood of relief at seeing his father safe and sound.

A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of his father's lips as he met Jade's gaze, a twinkle of amusement dancing in his eyes. "That's because your father wanted to surprise you," he replied, his voice warm and filled with affection.

Before Jade could fully process his father's words, one of the hunters, known for his loose tongue, couldn't resist but blurt out, "Happy birthday, Son!" The words hung in the air, a sudden realization dawning on Jade as he connected the dots and understood the true reason behind his father's secretive departure on this special day.

A surge of warmth and gratitude flooded through Jade as he realized the depth of his father's love and the lengths he had gone to make this birthday a memorable one. Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, Jade embraced his father tightly, feeling a deep sense of connection and love that transcended words.

As the hunters celebrated their successful hunt and the village rang with the sounds of joy and merriment, Jade's heart swelled with a newfound appreciation for the bond he shared with his father. The mysterious voice that had spoken to him earlier seemed to fade into the background, its message clear in the unspoken connection between father and son.

Tears of joy and gratitude welled up in Jade's eyes as he embraced his father, the weight of worry and uncertainty lifted from his shoulders. The mansion echoed with the sounds of celebration and camaraderie as the hunters gathered around, offering their congratulations and well wishes to Jade on his special day.

In that moment, surrounded by his father and the servants who had become like family to him, Jade felt a deep sense of love and belonging that filled his heart to overflowing.