The great Fuschia tree towered over the village, its branches stretching wide and providing a perfect canopy for the children who played beneath it. The sun filtered through the leaves, casting playful patterns on the ground. Damian lay sprawled out in the shade, books scattered around him, the pages fluttering gently in the breeze. He had finally drifted into a deep slumber when—
Thwack!
A sword swung wildly through the air, and the next thing he knew, the blunt end of Corwin's wooden sword struck him right in the forehead.
"Ow!" Damian jolted awake, rubbing his head where the weapon had hit him, his eyes squinting against the brightness of the sun. He blinked in confusion, taking in the sight of Corwin standing nearby, grinning sheepishly.
"Oops," Corwin said, his voice laced with mischief. "Sorry, Damian! I guess I got a little carried away!"
"Idiot!" Eli mumbled under his breath, shaking his head as he sat cross-legged next to them, flipping through one of Damian's books.
"What did you say?" Corwin shot back, his confidence swelling. "Don't you know that I will be the strongest knight in the world?"
"Strongest?" Eli laughed, his tone teasing. "I heard from your mom that you're still wetting the bed!"
Corwin's face turned red with indignation. "That's not true!" he yelled, lunging at Eli, who quickly dodged and pushed Corwin back. The two began to grapple playfully, their laughter echoing through the clearing.
Damian rubbed his forehead again, still feeling the sting of the sword. "Don't try to be the strongest, be the greatest," he chimed in, trying to diffuse the playful scuffle.
"What's the difference?" Corwin asked, panting as he paused to catch his breath.
"I don't know!" Damian laughed, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "But I think it sounds wise, doesn't it?"
Just then, a group of travelers entered the village, their presence quickly drawing the attention of the children. The newcomers were a band of adventurers—six in total—two men, three women, and a child who looked to be about Damian's age. Clad in armor that glinted in the sunlight, they carried weapons and wore packs filled with supplies. They walked with confidence, the air around them charged with stories waiting to be told.
"Look at them!" Corwin exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder. "They're adventurers! We should go pester them for stories!"
Eli nodded eagerly. "And maybe they'll teach us swordsmanship or magic!"
"They don't look like they want to teach anyone anything," Damian observed, watching as the adventurers made their way toward the village square, ignoring the stares of the villagers.
As the group settled in, the children approached, brimming with excitement. The adventurers exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and caution.
"Please! Can you tell us about your adventures?" Corwin pleaded, practically bouncing on his heels. "Or teach us how to fight like you?"
The child among the adventurers, a girl with bright red hair and a determined look, stepped forward. "We're just passing through," she said, her voice firm. "We can tell stories, but we're not teaching anyone."
"But we want to learn!" Corwin insisted, crossing his arms stubbornly.
The girl shrugged, a mischievous smile on her face. "Then you'd better listen carefully, because we've got some wild tales to share."
The other children gathered around, their eyes sparkling with wonder as the adventurers began to recount tales of their journeys. The stories flowed like a river, full of excitement and danger, magic and mystery. But the girl's younger brother, a quiet boy with messy hair, stayed at the back of the group, looking uncertain.
"Hey," Damian whispered to Eli and Corwin, nodding toward the boy. "What's his name?"
"I don't know," Eli replied, peering over at him. "But he looks kinda shy."
Corwin, never one to hold back, called out, "Hey! Why don't you come join us? We're not gonna bite!"
The boy shook his head, his expression defiant. "I don't want to play with you," he said, crossing his arms tightly.
"Why not?" Corwin pushed, a teasing grin forming on his face. "Are you scared?"
The boy's eyes flashed with irritation, and before Damian could intervene, Corwin continued. "You're just a weak little kid! I bet I could beat you in a fight without even trying!"
The boy's face reddened. "I'm not weak!" he shouted, clenching his fists. "I'll show you!"
Damian sighed, watching the confrontation unfold. "Guys, maybe we should—"
But Corwin wasn't listening. "Prove it, then! Let's see what you've got!."
In a flash, the boy lunged forward, drawing a practice sword from his side. The challenge was set. The two began to spar, and before long, it was clear that the boy had some skill.
"Come on!" Corwin taunted, swinging his wooden sword wildly. "Is that all you've got?"
With a swift move, the boy ducked under Corwin's swing and landed a solid hit on his side. "I told you I'm not weak!" he declared, a flicker of pride in his voice.
The two continued to duel, drawing the attention of the other kids who cheered them on. But Corwin was becoming frustrated, and in a moment of carelessness, he overextended himself. The boy sidestepped, using the momentum to push Corwin off balance.
With a yelp, Corwin fell to the ground, hitting the dirt with a thud. "That was just a fluke!" he shouted, scrambling to his feet, but his bravado was waning.
"Maybe you should practice more," the boy shot back, a triumphant smirk on his face.
Suddenly, Damian noticed a faint glow surrounding the boy as he readied himself for another attack. "Wait!" he called out, but it was too late. The boy unleashed a burst of aura, sending Corwin tumbling backward as a wave of energy knocked him off his feet.
The other kids gasped, and the adventurers quickly intervened, stepping in to calm the situation. "Hey, hey! That's enough!" one of the men shouted, rushing to the boys.
The adventurer who had been watching stepped forward, his face serious. "Sorry about that. My brother can get a bit carried away," he said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "We don't want any trouble in the village."
Damian glanced at Corwin, who was still sprawled on the ground, rubbing his side with a look of shock on his face. "I think he's had enough for today," he muttered, shaking his head.
The villagers gathered, murmuring among themselves as the adventurers apologized for the disturbance. "We'll make it up to you," the woman said, her voice calm. "We didn't mean for this to happen. I'll compensate you for any damages."
As the adventurers prepared to leave, the boy glanced back at Damian, his expression a mixture of pride and embarrassment. 'What the hell is the deal with this kid. He makes me cringe and manifesting an aura at that age is some genuis like talent.'
"I'm Damian," he said, stepping forward. "What's your name?"
"Kael," the boy replied hesitantly, though he held his head high.
"Maybe we can train together sometime," Damian suggested, a smile creeping onto his face. "You could show me how you use that aura of yours."
Kael's face lit up for a moment before he quickly hid it behind a wall of indifference. "Maybe," he muttered, glancing back at his adventurer family, who were now gathering their things.
As they left, Damian watched the boy with intrigue, feeling a spark of curiosity igniting within him. There was more to Kael than met the eye.