The sun's fiery blaze pierced through the horizon,casting a golden glow above Stanley's humble home. Stanley trudged through the front door, exhaustion etched on his face. His eyes, red-rimmed from lack of sleep, scanned the room, searching for solace. Instead, he found his father's disapproving gaze.
"Where have you been?" Derek thundered, his voice echoing through the silent morning like a crack of thunder.
Stanley hesitated,unsure how much to reveal. His eyes darted to his friends,kneeling on the ground,their face etched with worry. That moment,he saw in his friends eyes that all has been revealed. His father's anger was palpable, and Stanley could feel the sting of his disappointment.
"I...went...shouldn't...Dad. I know I shouldn't have..." Stanley stammered,finding it hard to choose the right words.
"On your kneels,now!" Derek ordered,his voice dripping with frustration.
Stanley obeyed,his father's words cut him deep: "You're reckless,boy! You put yourself,your cousin and your friends in harms way. Trevor got injured...you got injured...what if something worse had happened?"
"But it didn't!" Stanley quickly pointed out in a bid to defend his actions.
Derek's face darkened,memories of his own youth,adventures and losses flashing in his mind."You know the risks,Stan! Your Ma's passing should have thought you some caution."
Stanley's heart ached,remembering his mother's tragic death during the Enlightenment War. He has always felt driven to prove himself to make his father proud and also,to help the weak.
As the sun rose higher,casting a warm glow over the room,Derek's anger gave way for concern. And Stanley's friend still knelt down like shadows.
"Stanley,I know you. You're good but...your impulsiveness will get you killed. Your mother...she was...reckless...I can't lose you too,boy."
"Don't call my mother reckless!" Stanley snapped at his father.
Stanley felt a stinging slap on his face and tears pricked at the corner of his eyes,not because of the slap but because he felt like his father was insulting his mother. Trevor, Nick and Jacqueline's eyes grew very wide out of surprise. They've never seen Stanley's father hit him because he never has. They all knew the older man must be really frustrated.
"I'm sorry,Dad." Stanley whispered,his face burning.
Derek's expression softened slightly, but his words remained firm. "You're grounded,Stan. No allowance...no herding...and you'll hang upside down from that tree till evening." They all looked up at Derek in surprise of the punishment. "And you,Trevor,...you'll stay at the Cadets' Boarding House until the Legion Challenge. If you win,then you come home. And if you don't...you stay there till next year." Trevor's heart almost skipped a beat. Derek faced Nick and Jacqueline,pointing his fingers at them. "And you two...what can I do to you? Well, you guys clean the stables and take care of my horses for the whole week."
A week passed, and Stanley's isolation felt suffocating, like being trapped in a dense forest. No visitors,no escape. His thoughts swirled with regret and frustration.
One afternoon the following week, Stanley sat on a branch of a tree branch in their backyard. He spotted his cousin,Trevor, in the low bush that was at the yard end, watching him with wide, sympathetic eyes. Stanley was about to jump off the branch when Trevor signalled him not to. He sneaked him a small basket of freshly baked cookies and a note:
"Dear Stanley,
I know you're sorry. Daddy's sorry too, but he's just scared. Remember when your Mom used to tell us stories? She'd say, 'Fearlessness is not the absence of fear but to focus on what's worth fighting.'
You're brave and good cuz. Don't give up.
Love,Trevor."
Tears slowly streamed down face as he read the note. Trevor's words reminded him of his mother's wisdom and for the first time in fifteen years,he realized how much he misses her.
Later that day,Stanley sat at the front step, admiring the evening glory. The Great Lee appeared. As Stanley noticed the presence of the master, he adjusted, and bowed respectfully.
"Stanley Ardo," Great Lee said smiling,his elegant spirit figure,settling beside him, "What is wrong?"
Stanley's eyes was clouded frustration. "Great One,I feel trapped. My life isn't going the way I want it to...not even close to what I want it to be. I really want to help...I really do but, my father's worries and expectations suffocates me."
Master Lee's gentle gaze calmed Stanley's racing thoughts. "Share your burden with me,young one. And I shall try to provide for you,guidance."
Stanley poured out his woes. "Father wants me to sell sheep and...who wants to sell sheep anyway?" He raised his voice in both annoyance and frustration. He continued, "I don't know why he wants me to use my youth to herd sheep. He dismisses my dream, say in they're foolish. I feel powerless against his will."
The Master nodded sympathetically. "Sometimes, the greatest battles are within. Find strength in your conviction. Remember, conviction fuels passion, courage fuels action."
Stanley haven't fully extract the purpose and information in the older man's words but he found some courage in it and a spark of hope ignites in him.
Master Lee's wise eyes twinkled. "Hope is the spark that ignites change. Now, tell me, what makes you feel powerless?"
Stanley's shoulder slumped. "I'm just an ordinary person. I have no power or strength. How would I make a difference even if I am allowed to?"
Master Lee's gentle eyes dispelled Stanley's doubt. "Your worth isn't always measured by your exceptional talent. Every person has inherent talent. It could be presence,...or their listening ears,...or even their compassionate heart...it all could transform lives."
Stanley looked uncertain.
Master Lee's voice took on soothing quality. "Every drop contributes to the tide. Consider the ripple effect:one person inspires another, and another, creating a wave of kindness. Your worth isn't measured by your power alone. Every small act counts. Trust that your unique perceptive brings value to you and the world."
"I never thought of it that way." Stanley eyes widen as understanding dawned.
Master Lee's voice echoed in Stanley's ears as he spoke. "Imagine yourself as a thread in a tapestry. Alone,you may seem insignificant, but woven together with others', you all create a powerful narrative."
"Thank you,Master." Stanley felt courage and reassurance run gush from somewhere in his body,flowing through every vein of his being.
Master Lee's final words echoed in Stanley's mind. "And when doubt's creeps in, remember, you're not alone, Stanley. Your heart beats with the pulse of the universe. Trust in its guidance."
As Master Lee's spirit faded away, Stanley felt a sense of clarity and purpose. He already knew that his life might soon change and he was ready to face it head-on.
•••
A day later, Nick arrived, his expression a mixture of concern and relief. As they talked, Stanley smiled, feeling a sense of normalcy return. Nick tried to make jokes so Stanley could stop brooding on what had happened. He couldn't talk to Stanley about the Soul Raider because one of Stanley's father's men—Sir Joseph— was with them.
The old mage gave them practically no privacy. He was assigned to keep an eye on Stanley, to keep him in 'check' and to follow him every where just to make sure he behaved. Stanley's didn't like it at all. He felt like he was suffocating but had no choice but to endure it all for a month or less—at least till his father feels like he has learn his lesson.
As Nick left, Stanley went to the tree and hung himself upside down. He discovered he loved it there. The tranquility he felt was something he needed. He remembered when he was younger, hanging upside down from the tree was something he feared the most and now he actually enjoyed it.
"Why did I do it?" Stanley wondered hanging from the tree. He suddenly started feeling like all he did was out of him being overambitious. "Was it worth it?"
He thought back to the chase, remembering the thrill of adventure, the rush of adrenaline.
"We had to try. We couldn't just sit back and let that monster win." Stanley convinced himself. "It could be the Royal Force or The Royal Army or us or any other person who has the courage. What matters is not letting the Soul Raider win."
But his father's words lingered, echoing in his mind, "Impulsiveness would get you killed."
Stanley's emotions warred within him—guilt, anger, and a deep-seated desire to prove himself.
•••
As Derek entered the King's strategy room, warm candlelight danced across the polished oak table, casting a sense of familiarity and comfort. Maps of the realm adorned the walls and papers of different sizes were displayed on the table, while the scent of old parchment and freshly brewed tea filled the air. King Ryler, with a warm smile, rose from his seat. Their eyes tempered by years of shared battles and liquor, met in a silent understanding. The King's gesture invited Derek to take his usual seat, across him, a testament to their enduring bond and partnership.
"Your Majesty," Stanley's father said, bowing slightly, "I've concerns—"
"I share your concerns,brother!" King Ryler said before Derek could finish. He already knew what was on his mind. He said after a moment or two to ease the tension that was gathering, "And you know you can stop calling me that when no one's around."
They both chuckled at Derek's pretense.
Immediately they started discussing the possible danger and threats and the need to secretly gather their army.
After they came to a conclusion, King Ryler asked, "Tell me,how's Stanley? I heard he came home late some days ago."
Derek smiled. He hadn't said anything about Stanley's 'silly' quest to the King but he knew. "You are the king!" Derek confirmed smiling even wider.
"Oh yes. And I know a lot." Ryler said back with a handsome smile. "Now tell me,how's he doing?"
Stanley's father frowned. "He's reckless. Went on a silly quest with his friends...into the forest of ...without my permission."
"If he had asked,would you have let him go? No." King Ryler pointed out first. The King leaned forward and proceeded calmly, "Reckless,you say? That's concerning. But perhaps it's a sign of his eagerness to prove himself."
"Really? Are you really going to take his side? The forest of doom isn't a place to joke around." Derek said with a hint of disappointment.
"No. I am not taking his side. I am just trying to tell you that 'He can't cheat his destiny'. That's all."
"I've tried to teach him caution but...he's headstrong." Derek said sighing.
"Just like his Papa." King Ryler said. He added after about three seconds. "And his Mama." Derek looked at Ryler with utter surprise. "I remember your wife's bravery." King Ryler rose from his seat and walked to the window. "I remember those days when we'd drink till we forgot our way home. And we'd eventually sleep at the Liquor Parlor. Those days were young and fun." Regret and pain slightly showed in his voice.
"You still remember the Liquor Parlor?" Derek said smiling. He stood up and walked to Ryler.
"How could I forget? The first place we visit when we return from battle." They both burst into a laughter that was filled with longing and regret. When the laughter ended, Tyler faced Derek and asked, "Could things ever go back to that?"