The continent of Elvis, Aaron's birthplace, was a land perpetually fractured, a mosaic of five kingdoms locked in an endless struggle for dominion: the realms of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Beastfolk, and Orcs. Their wars, a ceaseless tide of conflict, sought to determine which kingdom would claim the lion's share of the land.
Five centuries ago, the world underwent a seismic shift, an infusion of energy known as "Sid." This energy, the wellspring of magic, allowed individuals to manipulate reality, enhance their physical attributes, and perform feats previously deemed impossible. However, the inherent nature of humanity, and indeed all the races, led to the misuse of this power. Instead of fostering unity, Sid became a tool of war, exacerbating existing conflicts and igniting new ones.
Three centuries later, a cataclysmic event occurred: the opening of the Abyss. From this infernal portal poured forth hordes of monstrous creatures, their sole purpose to kill and destroy. The races, faced with annihilation, were forced to set aside their petty squabbles and forge an alliance. A council was formed, with each race represented by a member, uniting them in the face of the encroaching darkness.
After a series of brutal and harrowing battles, the alliance managed to repel the monstrous invasion, sealing the Abyss and driving the surviving creatures into the depths of a vast, impenetrable forest. This forest, a testament to the horrors unleashed, became a death trap for any who dared to venture within, earning the chilling moniker "Flesh Eaters' Forest." The council, recognizing the danger, forbade all races from entering its depths.
A period of relative peace settled upon the land. However, this tranquility was shattered when the five grand priests, each representing their respective race, received a shared vision, a prophecy of dire consequence. The prophecy, shrouded in mystery, spoke of a child born under a crimson sky, a child born of a pure and powerful soul, destined to bring destruction and death to the world. To prevent this cataclysm, the child was to be killed. This child became known as "The Cursed Child."
Lilly, holding Aaron gently in her arms, walked towards the window. Their gazes fell upon a monstrous figure, an eight-foot-tall creature wielding a crude club, standing a mere forty yards from their dwelling.
"An Ogre?" Aaron thought, his mind reeling. Ogres, legendary creatures of myth, were depicted as grotesque, man-like beings that devoured humans, especially infants and children. Their existence was relegated to folklore, making the sight of one a shocking revelation.
'How many monsters inhabit this world?' he wondered, his mind racing.
"Graaa!!" The Ogre roared, its eyes fixed on Aurora, who calmly walked towards it, her sword dragging behind her, leaving a trail in the dirt.
"Hey, Baby Brother. That monster is known as an Ogre. It has the strength of an Omega-stage monster," Lilly whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of warning.
'Omega?! That sounds incredibly powerful!' Aaron thought, his eyes filled with worry as he watched Aurora approach the monstrous creature. 'Will she be able to handle it alone? And she just gave birth two hours ago. Would I be the reason for her demise?'
Sensing his anxiety, Lilly patted his head reassuringly. "Don't worry. That Ogre isn't powerful. With her full strength, our mother could kill a hundred of them in five minutes. One won't pose a threat to her."
Aaron's worry subsided, replaced by a sense of awe. 'Did she just say "she could kill a hundred in five minutes"? Is she a god or an Ogre slayer?'
"You made a mistake coming here, Ogre," Aurora said, her voice cold and resolute, her sword continuing to carve a path in the ground as she closed the distance.
"GRRAAAAA!!!" The Ogre roared, raising its club and charging towards the approaching elf.
'What is she doing? Won't she take a stance? Or attack?' Aaron thought, his anxiety mounting.
Aurora continued her steady advance. "Don't you know my son is inside? I'll make sure to cut you down into tiny pieces," she said, her voice laced with a chilling promise.
The Ogre got within ten meters from her.
'What are you waiting for? Attack! Or dodge!' Aaron thought, his heart pounding in his chest.
Five meters.
"Warrior Spirit," Aurora said, her voice a mere whisper.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"..."
Aaron froze, his face etched with horror. He hadn't even seen her move. All he saw was Aurora standing behind the Ogre, her back to it, blood dripping from her sword.
The Ogre took a few more steps before its head and four limbs fell to the ground, blood gushing forth.
"Oh! I forgot to close your eyes," Lilly said, quickly covering Aaron's eyes with her hand.
'What the?! Remove your hand from my face!' Aaron thought, moving his head from side to side, trying to catch a glimpse of the fearless warrior. But Lilly's hand remained firmly in place.
"BAM!"
"Eh!" Lilly gasped as Aaron bit her hand. "Let go, let go!" she cried.
Aaron released her, and Lilly quickly removed her hand from his face, while he stared at his mother with a wide smirk.
'I just found my mentor in combat.'
Aurora, hearing Lilly's cry, rushed back into the house. Seeing that Aaron had bitten her, she chuckled.
"What happened?" she asked.
"He bit me!" Lilly pointed at Aaron. "I thought a child this young wouldn't have grown teeth," she grumbled.
'She's right,' Aaron thought.
Aurora frowned slightly, then examined Aaron's mouth, finding two incisors. She looked up at Aaron, surprised.
"Wow, my boy. You seem to be growing quicker than any other child," she said, smiling.
'Growing quicker? That's good! That means in two years I'll look like a ten-year-old! Can't wait! At least... I won't be small! Wait a second! What if I grow up so quickly that I become an old man at age 20?! What will happen to my life?! I thought I saw a good thing, instead! I got a quick way to die!'
"Why the face, honey? Do you want to eat?" Aurora asked.
'I'm starving. Wait... I'm still a baby, does that mean she'll breastfeed me?! No way!'
"Come on," Aurora said, her armor disappearing, revealing a long green dress. She took Aaron from Lilly.
"Hmm... Mom, what about the Ogre's body?" Lilly asked.
Aurora paused, considering. "We haven't eaten for a while now..."
'Are they going to eat that human-like Ogre?!'
"Burn it. I'll hunt for something after feeding Aaron," Aurora decided.
Lilly nodded and headed for the door.
"Oh, Lilly, use the fire spell I taught you. It won't draw attention to us," Aurora reminded her.
Lilly nodded and went outside.
"Okay, young man, time to eat," Aurora said.
Aaron's eyes widened as Aurora prepared to breastfeed him. He quickly shook his head, stopping her.
"You don't want milk?" she asked, surprised.
Aaron nodded again. 'All the men would wish to suck those tits, but I can't! In my third lifetime, I've sucked a lot. I can't do that here, she's my mother, true. But I can't bring myself to do it. I can't even look at them when changing, to speak of suc... Let's stop there.'
"Do you want to eat the meat I'm going to hunt?" Aurora asked.
'Yes!' Aaron nodded.
Aurora smiled. "But can your body handle it? Are your digestive organs strong enough for that?"
'Why so many questions?! First, bring the food before asking all these!' Aaron frowned.
"Fufufufufu... You really look cute," Aurora smiled. 'Is it because of the prophecy? I hope my son won't be so different from others. No matter what happens, I won't let him be the killer everyone labeled him to be,' she thought.