The dim starlight cast a soft glow through the small window as the old man studied Yanz, his chin resting thoughtfully in his hand. Yanz shifted uncomfortably, reluctant to continue the conversation. He glanced down at the diary the old man had handed him, then back up with a half-smirk.
-"Let's just say I am this 'hero' your 'great mage' wrote about. That still doesn't change who I am right now—just another starving villager,"
Yanz said.
The old man smiled, undeterred, his eyes glinting as he watched Yanz.
-"You wouldn't be a hero if you were an ordinary person, would you? This diary doesn't just predict the hero's arrival—it also speaks of an ability, something unique that sets you apart from the ordinary."
Cornered, Yanz sighed, sensing that any more attempts to mislead would fall flat with this shrewd old man. Finally conceding, he gave a slight nod. Sensing the shift, the man straightened, offering his hand with respect.
-"How rude of me not to introduce myself sooner. My name is Publiu Kassian, chief of this village,"
The old man said.
-"Yanz,"
He replied, gripping the chief's hand with a steady shake.
-"A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
But before either could say more, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. The door burst open as a man stumbled into the room, out of breath.
-"Emergency! T-The Sky People...they're about to execute a child!"
Chief Kassian's face twisted in alarm. -"What? Why would they come down here right now?"
-"I... I don't know. Apparently, the kid was found close to the 'Gate' by the sky people. They're planning an execution right now!"
The chief's voice shook as he rose.
-"I have to reach them before they kill the child!"
Without wasting another second, he rushed out of the room, and Yanz followed close behind,
In the distance, an enraged voice boomed through the night.
-"Parasites like these need to die for the blasphemy they have committed!"
As they approached, Yanz could see a tall figure in an ornate white robe trimmed with gold, brandishing a staff nearly as tall as himself. A large orb on its tip glowed brightly, casting a harsh white light across the gathered crowd. At the man's feet, a young child lay trembling, his tear-streaked face turned downward as the crowd watched in terrified silence.
The scene was horrifying. Behind the man in white loomed a massive, shimmering white structure—otherworldly, imposing, and unmistakably out of place among the humble village surroundings. Yanz slowed his steps, blending into the gathered crowd, as the chief pushed forward, desperate to reach the man.
-"Please, sir, why are you doing this?"
The chief pleaded, his voice shaking.
The man turned to the chief, his voice dripping with contempt.
-"Why? This worthless parasite dared to throw dirt at the Sacred Aether Gate. I saw it with my own eyes!"
His voice rose in fury, the echo reaching every corner of the open field.
-"I must execute this filth!"
-"Please… he's a mere child! He doesn't know any better… spare him, please! I beg of you"
The chief's face was slick with sweat, his expression frantic.
The man in white turned to the boy and delivered a swift kick, sending the child sprawling on the ground, unconscious. Then, with an almost sadistic calm, he planted his foot firmly on the boy's neck.
The chief fell to his knees, sobbing and pleading, Yanz backed away from the crowd, his mind racing. The cries of the chief barely registered.
-"Forgive the child… please, show mercy,"
The chief begged, clutching at the man's robes in a final desperate act.
The robed figure sneered, shoving the chief to the ground with a brutal kick. -"I'll let you live this once because you're the chief,"
He spat.
-"But don't touch me again with your filthy hands."
He sneered as he brushed his robe off.
Seeing the chief's agony, Yanz felt his resolve harden. He clenched his fists and slipped away, his eyes fixed on a single purpose.
The white-robed man lifted his staff high, standing over the helpless child. -"As the fifth son of Valenwayth House, I Valenwayth Evander shall bring judgment upon you!"
He announced. The orb at the top of his staff glowed a menacing red, the light casting an ominous glow over the assembled villagers. But then, a sound behind him. Footsteps, fast and closing in.
The man in white whipped around, his eyes widening as he saw Yanz rushing at him, a determined fury in his gaze and a crude hoe raised high in his hands. Panic washed over the man's face as he quickly lifted his wand-the same wand he'd just brandished to execute the child-and swung it toward Yanz.
-"Flame Sphere!"
He shouted
-"Flame Sphere!"
He shouted, his voice breaking as a small, red ball of fire burst from the wand's tip, rocketing toward Yanz. But his hands were trembling, and the attack missed by a wide margin. A bead of sweat slipped down his temple as his breathing grew erratic.
Desperation clawed at him, and he frantically chanted again,
-"Flame Sphere! Flame Sphere! Flame Sphere!"
The orbs of fire kept flying but veered off-course, each attack skimming harmlessly past Yanz, who closed the distance with terrifying speed.
Finally, the man steadied his hands just long enough to launch a well-aimed shot that struck Yanz squarely in the chest. It knocked yanz back a little making him fall on his knees but he stood up and surged forward.
Now only feet apart, Yanz swung the hoe with every ounce of strength left in him, aiming low. The crude weapon crashed against the man's leg, buckling him and sending him staggering backward with a cry of pain.